Yoga and meditation are effective non-pharmacological interventions for reducing psychological distress among students. A quantitative study of 50 students at Government DSV Sanskrit College, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, used structured questionnaires to measure stress, overthinking, and anxiety before and after the intervention (pre-intervention n=90, post-intervention n=86). Correlation and regression analyses showed that both practices reduced stress, overthinking, and anxiety. Meditation had a greater effect on cognitive domains like overthinking, while yoga led to increased physiological relaxation. The findings suggest integrating these practices into educational settings to enhance mental well-being.
Practicing mindfulness—paying attention to present-moment feelings without judgment—can lessen anxiety and support mental health. Psychology and neuroscience research shows that mindfulness techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, and body scanning help focus on the present and reduce upsetting emotions. Programs such as MBSR and MBCT greatly reduce anxiety symptoms, benefiting people in educational and work settings. Neuroimaging reveals that mindfulness alters activity in brain areas like the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex, which manage fear, attention, and emotional control. Completing mindfulness exercises fosters self-discovery, calmness, and better stress management. Mindfulness can be taught in schools, hospitals, and companies to ease anxiety and promote well-being.