Esther N. Moszeik

2 papers in the library · 10 citations · publishing 2020-2025

Papers

The Effects of an Online Yoga Nidra Meditation on Subjective Well-Being and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress June 1, 2025 Esther N. Moszeik, Nicolas Rohleder, Karl-Heinz Renner 10 citations

A randomized controlled trial tested two durations of Yoga Nidra meditation (11 minutes and 30 minutes) against an active control (10 minutes of music) and a waitlist control, with 362 participants practicing daily online for two months. The 11-minute Yoga Nidra group showed small but significant improvements in psychological well-being compared to the waitlist, including reduced depression compared to the active control. Regular practice was linked to lower total cortisol and steeper daily cortisol declines. The 30-minute form increased acting with awareness more than the short form and produced a flatter cortisol wake-up reaction. The findings suggest even brief, low-cost interventions can yield health-promoting effects.

DOI: 10.1002/smi.70049 Full text Meditation Mindfulness Stress management Well‐being +1

Effectiveness of a short Yoga Nidra meditation on stress, sleep, and well-being in a large and diverse sample

Current Psychology September 8, 2020 Esther N. Moszeik, Timo von Oertzen, K.-H. Renner

An 11-minute Yoga Nidra meditation, practiced daily for 30 days, led to lower stress, higher well-being, and improved sleep quality compared with a waitlist control group. Effects were very small to small and remained stable at a six-week follow-up. The meditation reduced negative affect more than it increased positive affect, and mindfulness increased within the meditation group. A large, heterogeneous sample demonstrated that even a very short daily meditation can positively influence stress, sleep, and well-being.

DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01042-2 Full text Psychology Medicine