Abstract

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health issue in college students, affecting the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of daily life. There is a rising demand for mental health services, which has caused conventional treatments like therapy and medication to be spread thin. Complementary and alternative approaches have gained traction due to being cost-effective and easy. This literature review examines the effects of meditation on anxiety levels in college students based on findings from peer-reviewed studies. Evidence from multiple intervention studies exhibit notable reductions in perceived anxiety among college students who practice meditation of various forms. Furthermore, meditation benefits additional facets of well-being, like enhancing emotional regulation, mindfulness, and overall mental health. Despite certain limitations, such as reliance on self-reported data and insufficient long-term follow-ups, the results are consistent in highlighting the viable benefits of meditation. The findings postulate meditation as a tool for reducing anxiety and enhancing well-being in the college population. Further investigation should research long-term effects and the realistic integration of meditation into college student initiatives.

Keywords: Meditation, Anxiety, College Students, Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation

How to Cite:

Pappas, A., (2025) “The Benefits of Meditation for Reducing Perceived Anxiety in College Students: A Literature Review”, Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences 18(2025).