Differential effects of mindful breathing and loving kindness meditations: a component analysis study
Advances in Mental Health January 24, 2023 Sarah J. Bolognino, Tyler L. Renshaw, M. Phan
Brief daily meditation exercises, whether focused on mindful breathing or loving-kindness, produced very large improvements over time in college students, regardless of which type they practiced. Only one measure of psychological flexibility (defusion) and one mental health outcome (depression) showed different effects depending on the meditation type. Individually, mindful breathing and loving-kindness meditation appeared somewhat more beneficial than combining them or using a relaxation control. The 10-minute guided audio meditations were well accepted by participants.