Sydney: Simple everyday actions like chatting with friends, spending time in nature, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities can have a significant positive impact on mental health, according to a recent study.
The research, which involved over 600 adults in Western Australia, revealed that individuals who had daily conversations scored 10 points higher on a commonly used mental well-being scale compared to those who seldom interacted socially, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Exposure to nature each day was associated with a five-point boost in mental well-being. Other activities that supported better mental health included regular social interactions, physical exercise, spiritual practices, and acts of kindness, according to researchers from Curtin University.
Published in the British journal SSM-Mental Health, the study emphasizes the effectiveness of simple, low-cost habits in supporting mental wellness, noted lead researcher Professor Christina Pollard from Curtin's School of Population Health.
"These aren't expensive programmes or clinical interventions -- they're behaviours that are already part of many people's lives and can be easily encouraged through public health messaging," said Pollard.
"Regular connection with others, even a daily chat, can make a measurable difference to how people feel. Similarly, spending time outdoors or doing something that requires thinking and concentrating, like doing crosswords, reading, or learning a new language, provides an important mental reset," she said.
The study examined 15 different behaviours and found that mental well-being improved steadily with more frequent engagement in these activities.
Awareness of the campaign promoting these behaviours was widespread, with 86% of participants recognizing it, and the vast majority agreeing that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.
These findings reinforce the need for ongoing support and funding for community-level mental health programs that extend beyond simply raising awareness, according to Professor Pollard.
“This research confirms that when people are supported and encouraged to engage in mentally healthy behaviours, the benefits can be felt across the community,” Professor Pollard said.
"It's about prevention, not just treatment helping people stay mentally well before they reach crisis point," she added.
