Mindfulness meditation de-clutters mind, enhances well-being in teens

According to experts, mindfulness meditation that trains the mind to be non-reactive to the changing external sensations by focusing only on the present, helped young boys attain inner peace and also enhanced positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, interest, and affection in them.

Professor Felicia Huppert of the Well-being Institute at the University of Cambridge said, “We believe that the effects of mindfulness training can enhance well-being in a number of ways. If you practice being in the present, you can increase positive feelings by savoring pleasurable on-going experiences.

“Additionally, calming the mind and observing experiences with curiosity and acceptance not only reduces stress but helps with attention control and emotion regulation – skills which are valuable both inside and outside the classroom.”

Impact of mindfulness meditation on boys assessed
For the purpose of the study, the researchers enrolled 155 boys, aged 14 and 15 years old from two independent UK schools, Tonbridge and Hampton.

Boys from six classes were trained in mindfulness, which involved sitting quietly and simply processing whatever goes through the mind without reacting or becoming involved with thoughts, memories, worries, or images.

They were taught to practice bodily awareness techniques, like paying attention to their breathing, and keeping track of all the sensations involved in walking.

The boys also engaged in exercises to improve their concentration and reduce stress.

In contrast, the boys in the five control classes attended their normal religious lessons.

All the participants were asked to fill an online questionnaire before and after the project.

Revelations of the study
After a four-week crash course in mindfulness, the researchers noted a significant difference in the two groups.

The students who practiced the mindfulness therapy became aware of a multitude of factors surrounding them.

They became calmer, had a broader perspective and exhibited increased levels of well-being as opposed to those in the control group.

Professor Huppert stated, “Our study demonstrates that this type of training improves well-being in adolescents and that the more they practice, the greater the benefits.

"Importantly, many of the students genuinely enjoyed the exercises and said they intended to continue them – a good sign that many children would be receptive to this type of intervention.

“Another significant aspect of this study is that adolescents who suffered from higher levels of anxiety were the ones who benefited most from the training,” he added.