Daijiworld Media Network - Perth

Perth, May 5: A recent study from Curtin University in Australia highlights that simple, everyday activities such as chatting with friends, spending time outdoors, and mentally engaging tasks can have a significant positive impact on mental health.

The research, which surveyed over 600 adults in Western Australia, found that those who engaged in daily conversations with others scored 10 points higher on a standard mental well-being scale compared to those who rarely interacted. Similarly, daily exposure to nature was linked to a five-point increase in mental well-being.

Other activities, including regular social interactions, physical exercise, spiritual practices, and helping others, also contributed to improved mental health, according to the study published in the SSM-Mental Health journal.

Prof Christina Pollard, lead researcher and professor at Curtin’s School of Population Health, emphasized that these behaviours are not costly or complex interventions but simple actions that can be easily integrated into daily life. "Regular connection with others and spending time outdoors can make a measurable difference in how people feel," she noted.

The study evaluated 15 behaviours and found that mental well-being consistently improved with the frequency of participation in these activities. Pollard also stressed the importance of community-wide mental health initiatives that go beyond awareness campaigns, focusing on prevention and encouraging positive behaviours to maintain mental wellness.