A Curtin University study finds that regular chats with friends, time in nature and engaging activities significantly boost mental health. The research underscores the powerful impact of simple, everyday behaviors on overall well-being.
Simple, everyday behaviors like chatting with friends, spending time in nature and engaging in mentally stimulating activities are strongly linked to improved mental health, according to a new study by Curtin University. The research, published in SSM – Mental Health, emphasizes the powerful potential of these low-cost, accessible actions to enhance well-being.
The study surveyed over 600 adults in Western Australia and discovered that individuals who engaged in daily conversations scored 10 points higher on a standard mental well-being scale compared to those who interacted less frequently.
Spending time in nature every day was associated with a five-point improvement. Additional activities that were found to boost mental health include regular meet-ups with friends, physical activity, practicing spirituality and helping others.
“These aren’t expensive programs or clinical interventions — they’re behaviors that are already part of many people’s lives and can be easily encouraged through public health messaging,” lead author Christina Pollard, a professor in Curtin’s School of Population Health, said in a news release. “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 study analyzed 15 behaviors promoted by the Act Belong Commit campaign, finding that mental well-being improved consistently with the frequency of participation in these activities.
Awareness of the campaign was high, with 86% of participants recognizing it, and nearly all agreeing that mental health should be prioritized alongside physical health.
Interestingly, despite being conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that saw restricted social interactions, 93% of respondents reported no psychological distress and maintained mental well-being scores that were comparable to international pre-pandemic norms.
Pollard believes the findings make a strong case for sustained investment in population-wide mental health promotion campaigns that extend beyond just raising awareness to empowering individuals to take meaningful action.
“This research confirms that when people are supported and encouraged to engage in mentally healthy behaviors, the benefits can be felt across the community,” Pollard added. “It’s about prevention, not just treatment — helping people stay mentally well before they reach a crisis point.”
Source: Curtin University