Abstract

THE ROLE OF MINDFULNESS ON MENTAL HEALTH

Parvindar Singh Jat*, Mukulraj Singh Rao, Laxmi Narayan Sharma, Aditya Pant, Dr. Bhawani Singh Sonigara

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Abstract

Mindfulness and meditation are effective, evidence-based interventions for enhancing mental health and well-being. Rooted in Buddhist teachings, mindfulness promotes present-moment awareness and reduces psychological distress. Research shows that mindfulness-based interventions, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), effectively decrease stress, anxiety, and depression while improving cognitive function. Techniques like focused attention and open monitoring meditation enhance mental clarity, emotional regulation, and resilience. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is effective in preventing depressive relapse by disrupting negative thought patterns. Additionally, meditation provides long-term benefits for severe mental health conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A case study indicates that students in board classes experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, highlighting the need for mindfulness strategies in academic settings. In India, traditional healing practices face opposition from the Global Mental Health movement, favouring biomedical psychiatry. Integrating mindfulness and meditation into mainstream mental health care is crucial to addressing the increasing prevalence of psychological disorders. These practices offer a sustainable solution for improving mental and emotional well-being, and further research is needed to refine their use across diverse populations.

Keywords: Mindfulness, mental health, anxiety, depression, stress.