Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic: Contemplative practice behaviors are associated with better mental health outcomes and compliance with shelter-in-place orders in a prospective cohort study.
Preventive Medicine Reports September 1, 2021 Benjamin W Chrisinger, Tia Rich, David Lounsbury et al.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people in California who engaged in contemplative practices—such as meditation, self-compassion, or compassion for others—reported greater resilience, more positive emotions, better stress management, lower distress, and were less likely to have experienced depression in the previous week. These benefits were seen whether practices were done occasionally or regularly. Over time, those who practiced little or none showed steeper declines in resilience and compliance with shelter-in-place orders. The findings suggest contemplative practices may help protect emotional and mental health during major disruptions.