THE ROLE OF MEDITATION OF STRESS MANAGEMENT IN COMMON PEOPLE: A REVIEW ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Stress is a pervasive psychophysiological response that, when prolonged,
adversely affects physical health, emotional balance, and overall quality of life. Meditation an
ancient mind body practice rooted in diverse spiritual traditions and increasingly validated by
contemporary science has emerged as an accessible and cost-effective strategy for stress
management. Notably, the United Nations recognized 21 December 2024 as the first World
Meditation Day, while the World Health Organization acknowledges meditation as a valuable
self-care tool for enhancing well-being and managing anxiety-related symptoms.
Study and Materials: This qualitative review analyzes secondary data from 60 published review
studies focusing exclusively on meditation-based interventions, excluding other yogic
therapies. The findings indicate that practices such as mindfulness meditation, breathing
meditation, focused attention, and cyclic meditation significantly reduce perceived stress,
enhance emotional regulation, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve sleep quality and
psychological resilience. Evidence from neurophysiological investigations using EEG and
fMRI further supports meditation’s positive impact on brain function and mental health
outcomes across clinical, educational, and occupational settings. Additionally, meditation
fosters self-compassion, attention regulation, and adaptive behavioral responses, even when
practiced for brief and low-cost sessions.
Conclusion: Although the accumulated evidence underscores meditation’s effectiveness as a
simple, practical, and inclusive approach to stress management among the general population,
several studies highlight the need for more rigorous experimental designs with long-term
follow-up to strengthen causal inferences. Overall, this review affirms meditation as an
evidence-based, accessible intervention that can be integrated into daily routines and public
health initiatives to promote mental well-being and emotional stability.