From Awareness to Action: Exploring Mental Well-being and Its Role in Healthy Daily Living

Mental well-being has emerged as a critical determinant of healthy daily living in the context of increasing psychological, social, and lifestyle-related challenges. Moving beyond the traditional view of mental health as merely the absence of illness, this study conceptualizes mental well-being as a positive, dynamic process that links awareness with purposeful action in everyday life. Adopting a qualitative, review-based content analysis approach, the study synthesizes theoretical perspectives, empirical research, and policy documents to examine how awareness of mental well-being translates into practical daily behaviours. The analysis focuses on four key dimensions: levels of mental well-being awareness, its influence on lifestyle practices such as stress management, routines, and social interactions, the psychological and environmental factors shaping awareness–action translation, and the contribution of mental well-being to resilience, self-regulation, and overall quality of life. Findings indicate that while conceptual awareness of mental well-being is generally moderate and increasing, it often lacks practical depth, limiting its impact on daily living. Psychological factors such as self-regulation, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation, along with supportive social and institutional environments, play a decisive role in enabling action. The study concludes that sustainable healthy living requires integrated, action-oriented approaches that embed mental well-being practices into everyday routines, educational settings, workplaces, and community life.