Summary: New research from Curtin University shows that straightforward daily behaviours — like chatting with friends, spending time in nature, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities — are strongly associated with better mental well-being. The study found that people who connected socially every day scored substantially higher on a standard mental well-being measure than those who did so only rarely.
Other everyday actions linked to improved well-being included regular physical activity, helping others, and practising spirituality. These findings underline how low-cost, accessible habits can support mental health and suggest that public health efforts should promote these practices as prevention as well as treatment.
Key Facts:
- Social connection matters: Daily conversations were associated with significantly higher mental well-being scores.
- Nature and mental engagement help: Time outdoors and mentally challenging activities produced measurable benefits.
- Prevention focus: Simple daily actions offer an affordable way to support mental health before problems escalate.
Source: Curtin University
Regular chats with friends, time spent outdoors and mentally engaging activities are strongly linked to better mental health, according to Curtin University research highlighting the value of everyday behaviours for well-being.
The cross-sectional survey included 603 adults in Western Australia. It found that those who chatted with others daily scored 10 points higher on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) than those who chatted less than once a week. Spending time in nature every day was associated with an increase of about five points on the same scale. Frequent meet-ups with friends, visiting family, regular physical activity, spiritual practice, thinking or concentrating activities (such as reading or puzzles), and helping others also correlated with higher well-being scores.
Lead author Professor Christina Pollard, from Curtin’s School of Population Health, emphasised that these are not costly interventions but everyday practices many people can adopt. She pointed out that a simple daily connection with others or spending time outdoors can provide an important mental reset. Activities that require concentration — such as learning a language, doing crosswords or reading — were also shown to boost mental well-being.
The study assessed 15 behaviours promoted by the Act Belong Commit campaign and found a clear relationship between the frequency of participation and improved well-being. Campaign recognition was high: 86 per cent of respondents were aware of it. Despite data collection occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic when social restrictions were in place, 93 per cent of participants reported no psychological distress on the Kessler 6 (K6) scale, and average well-being scores were similar to international pre-pandemic norms.
Professor Pollard said the research supports investment in sustained, population-level mental health promotion that goes beyond raising awareness to actively encourage behaviour change. “When people are supported to take part in mentally healthy behaviours, the benefits extend across the community,” she said. The emphasis is on prevention: helping people maintain good mental health before reaching 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., published in SSM – Mental Health. DOI information available through the journal.
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 people to adopt healthful behaviours. The Act Belong Commit campaign promotes participation in behaviours thought to protect mental well-being.
Objective
To examine the relationship between mentally protective behaviours and mental well-being among Western Australian adults exposed to the Act Belong Commit campaign.
Methods
Cross-sectional telephone interviews were conducted in Western Australia in September–October 2020 with 603 adults aged 18 years and older. The survey measured campaign awareness and participation in 15 activities that support social connectedness and a sense of meaning. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and the Kessler 6 (K6) psychological distress scale.
Results
The mean WEMWBS score was 52.6 (SD 8.9). Ninety-three per cent of respondents reported no psychological distress on the K6, and 86 per cent recognised the campaign. Participants who chatted with others one to six times per week had WEMWBS scores about 5.8 points higher than those who chatted less than weekly; those who chatted daily scored about 10.0 points higher. Spending time in nature one to six times per week was associated with an increase of roughly 3.0 points, and daily nature exposure was associated with an increase of about 5.1 points compared with less-than-weekly participation. Higher well-being scores were also linked with meeting friends, visiting family, physical activity, spiritual practice, thinking/concentrating activities, helping others, and stronger religious influence. Age and financial saving ability were independent predictors of well-being.
Conclusions
Participation in mentally protective behaviours was associated with higher mental well-being. The findings support promoting low-cost, evidence-based behaviours across the population to improve mental health and strengthen campaigns like Act Belong Commit. Encouraging everyday actions—social connection, time outdoors, physical activity, mental engagement, and helping others—can be an effective public health strategy to maintain and enhance community mental well-being.