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Healthy Habits Linked to Better Mental Wellbeing in Young Adults
27 Aug
Summary
- Better sleep quality, fruit/veggie intake, and exercise associated with improved mental wellbeing
- Boosting fruit and vegetable consumption may help offset negative effects of poor sleep
- Sleep quality identified as the strongest predictor of next-day wellbeing
According to a recent study, healthy lifestyle habits like getting enough sleep, eating more fruits and vegetables, and exercising can have a significant positive impact on the mental wellbeing of young adults aged 17 to 25. The research, conducted by the University of Otago in New Zealand, analyzed data from three previous studies involving over 2,000 participants.
The findings show that better sleep quality was the strongest and most consistent predictor of improved next-day mental wellbeing. Increased fruit and vegetable consumption came in second, while physical activity was also linked to better mood when comparing an individual's feelings between days.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that boosting fruit and vegetable intake appeared to help mitigate the negative effects of a poor night's sleep on mental health. Conversely, a good night's sleep seemed to protect against lower fruit and vegetable intake.
"Sleeping a little better, eating a little healthier, or exercising even for 10 minutes longer than you normally do was associated with improvements to how you feel that day," said lead author Dr. Jack Cooper. The researchers emphasize that understanding these lifestyle factors can help young adults not just "get by" but truly thrive during this critical life stage, which often involves unique pressures like leaving home, financial stress, and social challenges.
