Mindfulness reduces stress in students during exam times

Mindfulness reduces stress in students during exam periods, according to the largest study of its kind.

After just eight weeks of mindfulness sessions, which involves paying attention to the present moment, students feel significantly less distressed and have improved wellbeing, the research found.

Study author Professor Peter Jones from the University of Cambridge, said: ‘The evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress.

‘It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma.’

University counselling increased by 50 per cent between 2010 and 2015 in certain regions of the UK, which could be due to students suffering more mental-health disorders or becoming less resilient.

Previous studies have shown the ancient Buddhist meditation, which is even recommended by the NHS, is effective at easing depression and anxiety.

Mindfulness reduces stress in students during exam times, study finds (stock)

MINDFULNESS REDUCES STRESS LEVELS BY MORE THAN HALF BY CHANGING THE BRAIN’S STRUCTURE

Trendy mindfulness reduces stress levels by more than half by changing the structure of the brain, research revealed in October.

Mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment, relieves tension by 51 per cent by boosting regions of the brain associated with attention, function and compassion, a study found.

The ancient Buddhist meditation, which is championed by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Emma Watson, and is even recommended by the NHS, also makes people feel better within themselves, the research adds.

In particular, practicing mindfulness by sharing challenging experiences with others may help to reduce social shame, which is a common trigger for stress, according to the researchers.

Lead author Professor Tania Singer from the Max Planck Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany, said: ‘As empathy, compassion and perspective-taking are crucial competencies for successful social interactions, conflict resolution and cooperation, these findings are highly relevant’.

How the research was carried out

The researchers analysed students aged 18 or over with no severe mental illness during their main exam period.

Half of the study’s participants received an eight week mindfulness course alongside standard mental health support, while the remaining students had mental health support alone.

Those receiving mindfulness lessons had weekly, face-to-face, group-based sessions and were encouraged to practice at home for around 15-to-20 minutes a day.

Before and after the study, all of the participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their wellbeing, symptoms, ability to function and risk of harm.

‘Mindfulness helps build resilience against stress’

Results reveal mindfulness reduces students’ distress more than mental health support alone.

For every six students treated with mindfulness, one is prevented from experiencing significant distress.

The practice also improves students’ wellbeing.

Lead author Dr Julieta Galante said: ‘Students who had been practising mindfulness had distress scores lower than their baseline levels even during exam time, which suggests that mindfulness helps build resilience against stress.’

Professor Jones added: ‘The evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress.

‘While these benefits may be similar to some other preventative methods, mindfulness could be a useful addition to the interventions already delivered by university counselling services.

‘It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma.’

The findings were published in the journal The Lancet Public Health.

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