The main purpose of this article is to investigate the potential effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) intervention, originating in Buddhist vipassana or “insight”, as opposed to somatic relaxation (SR) training that is based on body awareness, for a one month period, of randomly selected one hundred and four students and compare the findings with a control group.
The most important information in this article relates to a direct comparison of both mentioned interventions that aim at reducing stress in students currently involved in health and medical studies. The data show that MM and SR groups successfully overcame psychological distress. Also, participants involved in the MM and SR intervention considerably improved their positive states of mind (Jain et al 19). The MM fosters a skill of moment-to-moment reaction to various stimuli. By developing it further, the students will be able to effortlessly shift their attention to the present moment without rumination and distraction. The findings suggest that this skill is anticipated of decreasing psychological distress in patients, as well.
The conclusion made in this article is that training with treatment reduces stress and enhances positive mood, as opposed to no-treatment training. The MM differs from SR in the way that it significantly reduces rumination and distraction. Mindfulness meditation and somatic relaxation has more satisfactory results than those of a control group. The study results provide an opportunity to recognize methods that can lead to decreasing anxiety and depression in patients in the near future.
The key concepts in this article are as follows:
- MM – mindfulness meditation – is a part of stress reduction techniques in patients and used as such in mediation practices. Its purpose is to gain insight into a person’s cognition (11). The MM uses body scan, sitting, Hatha yoga, walking, and loving-kindness meditation;
- SR – somatic relaxation – is a body awareness-based intervention. It comprises techniques of autogenic relaxation, used by Schultz, that include muscle relaxation, breathing, and guided imagery to relax the body (13).
The main point of view presented in this article is that all participants involved in the MM group experienced a considerable reduction in distractive thoughts and behaviors. But we also need to acknowledge the limited generalizability of the present trial. In future, population groups with clinical depression and anxiety need to be examined to see the consistency of present results. The students of meditation group experienced a number of changes in the way they focus attention, for example. Researchers made a hypothesis that, practicing “vipassana”, certain attention processes can be considerably improved (19).
The research information is extremely valuable to me as a college student. Due to a number of stress situations during my studies that can even lead to depression and exhaustion, I would love to participate in such a trial myself. In my opinion, the MM course can improve the well-being of anyone, especially before or during exams. The things I am looking forward to improving are concentration, redirection of attention and, of course, relaxation through meditation.
My feedback is that this research may help students and future medical doctors to cope better with emotional stress during studies and in their work environment. By understanding it, we can eliminate stress symptoms more effectively. Just applying different methods is possible to notice the positive or negative treatment effects.
