A 15-minute meditation session works equally well with a mental health vacation

According to a recent study published in Positive Psychology Journal of Psychology, sitting meditation and vacation seems to have the same effect on one's mental health.

Participants meditate, cranky down considerably.

Research author Christopher May, who is also an assistant professor at the University of Groningen, said: "This is part of a wider study that I and my colleagues have done. Research requires volunteerism. If you meditate every day for 8 weeks, others will go on vacation during the study period, then we systematically monitor the people who stopped meditating and come back to study or So we can check the relative effects of vacation and meditation on variables like mindfulness, positive and negative emotions. "

The team then examined the data provided by 40 undergraduate students. These are people who listen to audio files and meditate for 15 minutes a day in two stages, each of which lasts for 2 weeks. In the 8-week study, all volunteers had to complete a daily survey in the evening to assess their health, emotions and mindfulness throughout the day.

On the days when participants meditated, researchers found higher positive emotional states and negative emotional levels, such as cranky, significantly reduced. In particular, they pay more attention to sounds such as clock sounds, birds singing or cars passing by.

It is worth mentioning that the research team also found similar characteristics in those who spent the whole time studying for vacation.

Meditation improves the ability to perceive the environment and balance emotions.

Sharing with PsyPost, May said: "We found that just 15 minutes of meditation can bring positive effects as a summer holiday, based on aspects of mindfulness. Both meditators and vacationers insist that they have improved their awareness of the environment and balanced their feelings , and the holiday has a lot to do with positive health and emotions. dispel negative emotions Meditation of course also brings similar benefits. "

At the end of the study, scientists recommend that people meditate if they have a limited time. But if you have more time, reward yourself with a vacation to recharge your energy.

Note that this study only applies to people who intend to meditate for a short time.

In the future, the team will conduct further tests, including those who meditate daily and take a vacation. Even the concept of "holiday" needs to be more clearly distinguished, whether it is a long vacation and a new land or home and spending time on projects and hobbies.

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