These Simple Habits Help Young People Feel Happier

A recent study has made the link between eating fruit and vegetables, exercise and getting quality sleep and better mental health in young adults aged between 17 and 25.

Dr Jack Cooper, lead author of the published trial, says that eating healthier, sleeping better and exercising just for 10 minutes more than usual can improve how a person feels that day.

Sleep, in particular, has long been neglected. A lack of, or poor-quality, rest can negatively impact well-being. This can result in sadness and more serious mental health issues, such as those explored in mental health training courses Swansea run by companies such as tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/swansea/.

University Research

The recent study was carried out by researchers from New Zealand’s University of Otago and used data from a trio of previous studies. It was published in the PLOS One journal and found that better sleep quality was seen to improve mental well-being in all three studies. Eating vegetables and fruit was second in terms of impact.

The study found that eating an above-average amount of fruit and vegetables could also mitigate effects from a bad night’s sleep, while a good sleep could protect against a lower intake of fruit and vegetables. Physical activity was also found to have an impact on well-being.

Professional Opinion

Professor Tamlin Conner, the study’s senior author from the psychology department at the University of Otago, said that understanding which lifestyle factors can support well-being could help young adults to thrive during a critical stage in life.