A structured yoga intervention—including asanas, pranayama, and meditation—improved concentration, stress management, and emotional well-being among higher secondary students preparing for entrance examinations. In a pre–post experimental design, mean scores on a five-point Likert scale rose from 35.85 before the intervention to 46.27 afterward, indicating notable gains in focus, emotional balance, and stress reduction. The authors conclude that yoga offers an effective, low-cost, non-pharmacological approach to enhancing academic readiness and psychological well-being.
Meditation, central to Buddhist psychology, is a systematic method for understanding and transforming the mind. Buddhist psychology posits that suffering stems from ignorance, attachment, and aversion, and meditation serves as a tool to overcome these afflictions. Unlike modern approaches focused on symptom reduction, Buddhist meditation aims at cultivating wisdom, ethical conduct, and liberation. Two principal forms, Samatha (tranquility) and Vipassanā (insight), develop concentration, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. Contemporary research supports meditation's effectiveness in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional instability. The paper concludes that meditation is a valuable, scientifically supported approach for promoting mental well-being and psychological resilience.
Meditation and mantra chanting boost cognitive and physiological processes, lower stress levels, and increase emotional resilience. Reduced cortisol levels and improvements in cardiovascular health are seen, while EEG and fMRI studies show enhanced alpha and theta brainwave activity, indicating relaxation and emotional regulation. Their effects are further validated by improved brain connection, memory, and focus. Methodological irregularities and small sample numbers underscore the necessity of standardized procedures and thorough longitudinal studies.