Among 226 elite athletes, trait mindfulness predicts mental wellbeing through two parallel pathways: increased gratitude toward pleasant moments and greater self-compassion toward unpleasant moments. The mediation analysis controlled for age, gender, sport type, fitness status, and country of residence. Cultivating gratitude and self-compassion through mindfulness-based programs may help protect and promote athlete wellbeing.
An 8-week mindfulness program for elite athletes improved wellbeing through four mechanisms: setting wellbeing intentions, developing moment-to-moment awareness to boost positive affect and autonomy, using bodily and sensory attention for emotional regulation, and cultivating self-compassion to foster growth in sport and personal life. The qualitative study of 13 athletes (8 women, 5 men, average age 22.23) suggests these processes explain how mindfulness enhances mental health in this population.
A survey of 106 adults who had a meaningful psychedelic experience found that increases in feelings of connectedness—to oneself, others, and the world—were linked to reduced fear of death and death avoidance. Participants reported these changes when comparing the three months before and after the experience. Greater connectedness in all three domains was associated with less fear of death, but only connectedness to self and others was tied to lower death avoidance. The intensity of the mystical experience was also related to greater connectedness and less fear of death, but not to death avoidance. The authors call for further research to clarify causality and whether these changes reflect adaptive acceptance or denial.