Summary: A new study reveals that simple daily behaviors, such as chatting with friends, spending time in nature, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities, are strongly linked to improved mental well-being. People who connected socially every day scored notably higher on mental health measures than those who did so rarely.
Other beneficial activities included physical exercise, helping others, and practicing spirituality. These findings highlight the power of low-cost, accessible actions to support mental health and suggest that public health campaigns should encourage such habits for prevention, not just treatment.
Key Facts:
- Social Connection Matters: Daily chats were linked to significantly higher mental well-being scores.
- Nature and Mental Stimulation Help: Time outdoors and engaging the mind boosted mental health.
- Prevention Focus: Simple daily actions offer a low-cost way to support mental well-being before crises arise.
Source: Curtin University
Regular chats with friends, time spent in nature and mentally engaging activities are strongly linked to better mental health, according to new Curtin University research that highlights the power of simple, everyday behaviours to improve well-being.
The study surveyed more than 600 Western Australian adults and found people who chatted with others daily scored 10 points higher on a standard mental well-being scale than those who did so less than once a week.
Spending time in nature every day was associated with a five-point increase, while frequent catch-ups with friends, physical activity, practising spirituality and helping others were also linked to improved mental well-being.
Lead author Professor Christina Pollard from Curtin’s School of Population Health said the findings offer clear evidence that low-cost, accessible actions can play a meaningful role in maintaining good mental health and well-being.
“These aren’t expensive programs or clinical interventions – they’re behaviours that are already part of many people’s lives and can be easily encouraged through public health messaging,” Professor Pollard said.
“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.”
The research evaluated 15 behaviours promoted by the Act Belong Commit campaign and found mental well-being increased consistently with the frequency of participation in these behaviours.
Awareness of the campaign was high, with 86 per cent of participants recognising it, while nearly all agreed that mental health should be prioritised alongside physical health.
Despite being conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions limited social interactions, 93 per cent of respondents reported no psychological distress and average mental well-being scores were comparable to international pre-pandemic norms.
Professor Pollard said the study provides a strong case for long-term investment in population-wide mental health promotion campaigns that go beyond awareness and empower people to take meaningful action.
“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.”
About this mental health research news
Author: Lucien Wilkinson
Source: Curtin University
Contact: Lucien Wilkinson – Curtin University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“The association between participation in mental health protective behaviours and mental well-being: cross sectional survey among Western Australian adults” by Christina Pollard et al. SSM – Mental Health
Abstract
The association between participation in mental health protective behaviours and mental well-being: cross sectional survey among Western Australian adults
Background
Protecting mental health is a public health priority. Social marketing campaigns can encourage uptake of healthful behaviours. The Act Belong Commit® mental health promotion campaign encourages participation in mentally protective behaviours.
Objective
To examine the relationship between mentally protective behaviours and mental well-being among West Australian adults exposed to the Act Belong Commit® campaign.
Methods
Cross-sectional telephone interviews conducted in Western Australia September–October 2020 with 603 adults aged 18+ years. Campaign awareness and participation in 15 behaviours that contribute to social connectedness and meaningfulness were measured. Mental health outcomes were the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and Kessler 6 (K6).
Results
Mean WEMWBS score was 52.6 (SD 8.9), 93 % reported no psychological distress (K6), and 86 % were aware of the campaign. People who chatted with others 1–6 times/week had WEMWBS score increased by 5.8 compared with those who did so less than weekly, while those who chatted daily had WEMWBS score increased by 10.0 points.
Spending time in nature 1–6 times/week had 2.99 increased WEMWBS score, while daily had 5.08 higher score than less than weekly. WEMWBS score increased with meetups with friends, visiting family, physical activity, spirituality practice, thinking/concentrating activity, helping someone and large religious influence. Age and saving ability independently predicted well-being.
Conclusions
Participation in mental health protective behaviours were associated with higher mental well-being. These behaviours will be further promoted to increase the success of the Act Belong Commit®) campaign.
This study shows that the promotion of low-cost, evidence-based protective behaviours is important for population mental well-being.
