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The Role of Yoga and Meditation in Reducing Anxiety and Enhancing Quality of Life

Arpita Garud

August 31, 2025 DOI: 10.69758/gimrj/2508s01v13p014 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional study
Sample size 100
Population Young adults aged 30–40 years
Intervention yoga and meditation
Topics Anxiety Meditation
Keywords Beck anxiety inventory Mental health Beck depression inventory Clinical psychology Psychotherapist
Key findings Practitioners of yoga and meditation had significantly lower anxiety and higher quality of life than non-practitioners.

Abstract

Abstract Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions worldwide, impairing psychological and physical functioning, and diminishing quality of life. Conventional pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments are effective but may not be equally accessible or culturally accepted in all contexts. This study examines the impact of yoga and meditation on anxiety and quality of life among young adults. A sample of 100 participants aged 30–40 years was divided into two groups: practitioners of yoga and meditation and non-practitioners. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and WHOQOL-BREF were administered. Independent samples t-tests were used to analyze group differences. Results showed that practitioners reported significantly lower anxiety levels and higher quality of life scores compared to non-practitioners. No significant gender differences were found among practitioners. Findings support the role of yoga and meditation as holistic, non-pharmacological approaches to mental health enhancement. Keywords: Yoga, Meditation, Anxiety, Quality of Life, Young Adults, Beck Anxiety Inventory, WHOQOL-BREF

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 985
The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin 2016 Questionnaire development and validation
Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States 2013 Cross-sectional survey n = 130,152
Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use 2002 Cross-sectional survey n = 282
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures 2019 Cross-sectional survey n = 362

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