Subjective well-being is a relevant protective factor in times of global mental health crises such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The present study investigated the predictors of subjective well-being (positive and negative affects and life satisfaction) in Brazil, with positive constructs (such as cognitive hope, optimism, self-compassion, self-efficacy and self esteem) and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). This was a cross-sectional study of 2,422 Brazilian individuals; data was collected using a self-administered online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple linear regression (MLR) yielded a model that explained 70.9% of the variation in standardized subjective well-being. This construct showed a significant correlation with all positive psychological aspects and a negative correlation with psychological distress. The results indicated that social support in different sociodemographic groups, as well as a balanced lifestyle, with leisure, self-compassion, self-efficacy, optimism and self-steem contributed to subjective well-being throughout the pandemic and regulated psychological distress. Well-being is important focus of new studies that aim to monitor by longitudinal method and evaluate health interventions related to the effects of the pandemic. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).