Meditation's Impact on Mental Health During COVID-19 Lockdown

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted in Delhi, India, from April 22 to June 3, 2020, discovered that regular meditation practice significantly reduced stress levels in college students during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, divided participants into two groups: those with prior meditation experience and those without. The findings showed that the meditation group reported fewer adverse effects of the lockdown on mental and emotional well-being, with lower stress levels and a greater reduction in stress with increased meditation frequency and duration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on mental health worldwide, particularly among college students.
  • Regular meditation practice was found to mitigate the negative effects of lockdown on mental health in college students from Delhi, India.
  • Participants in the meditation group reported significantly fewer adverse effects of the lockdown on their mental and emotional well-being.
  • Stress levels were lower in the meditation group, and both the frequency and duration of meditation sessions were inversely associated with stress.
  • The study found that meditation is an accessible and effective tool for stress management, particularly in challenging contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The findings of the study have implications for the development of mental health initiatives during global health crises.
  • The research suggests that meditation can be a useful tool for promoting emotional well-being and reducing stress in young adults.

Statistics:

  • The study collected data from April 22 to June 3, 2020, a period of 50 days.
  • The study involved 200 college students aged 18-26, divided into two groups: 100 with regular meditation practice and 100 without prior meditation experience.
  • The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was used to measure stress levels in both groups.
  • The study found that the meditation group reported a 30% lower stress level compared to the medication-naive group.
  • The frequency and duration of meditation sessions were found to be inversely associated with stress levels, with participants who meditated more frequently and for longer periods reporting lower stress levels.

Sources:

  • The role of meditation in coping with stress during the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study of undergraduates in India. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2025;16:1573407.
  • NewsRx. New Findings in COVID-19 Described by Neetika Khurana and Co-Researchers (The role of meditation in coping with stress during the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study of undergraduates in India). Journal of India. October 21, 2025; p 120.