SYDNEY, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Simple, everyday behaviors like chatting with friends, spending time in nature, and mentally engaging activities can significantly improve mental health, new research from Australia's Curtin University has revealed.
The study, which surveyed over 600 adults in Western Australia, found that people who engaged in daily conversations with others scored 10 points higher on a standard mental well-being scale than those who rarely did, said Curtin University researchers on Sunday.
Daily exposure to nature was linked to a five-point increase, while regular social catch-ups, physical activity, spiritual practice, and helping others also contributed to improved mental well-being, according to a press release from the Western Australia-based university.
The findings, published in the British journal of SSM-Mental Health, highlight the power of accessible, low-cost actions in maintaining mental wellness, said the study's lead researcher, Prof. Christina Pollard from Curtin's School of Population Health.
"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," 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," she said.
The results support sustained investment in community-wide mental health initiatives that go beyond raising awareness, Pollard said.
"It's about prevention, not just treatment -- helping people stay mentally well before they reach crisis point," she added. Enditem
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