Participants in an online mindfulness course who completed at least 90% of the program reported that a virtual community, appealing content, enablers like free access and variety, and noticeable benefits to physical and mental well-being helped them finish the course and apply its teachings. Novel findings included growing together as a group, repeating the course, evidence-based teaching, and immediate well-being improvements. These elements may guide the design of future digital health interventions to support positive behavior change.
Participants in a 4-week online mindfulness course described developing mindfulness through paying attention to the present moment, letting go, acceptance, gentleness, and a sense of belonging. They reported translating mindfulness into daily life as a support to mental wellbeing, dealing with uncertainty and adversity, living more consciously, connecting with self and others, and channeling attention into productivity. These insights from 527 respondents (16% of 3,335 course completers) suggest how online mindfulness programs can be designed to foster beneficial outcomes.