Interesting articles on meditation that arrived into my inbox this week:
1. Meditation as an antidote to the ‘Brain Rot’ era:
The term “brain rot,” first coined by Henry David Thoreau in 1854, was named Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year in 2024, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of excessive social media consumption on our cognitive functions. In his article “Could Meditation Be the Antidote to the ‘Brain Rot’ Era?” Dr. Balachundhar Subramaniam explores how constant exposure to fragmented, low-quality online content can diminish attention spans and contribute to mental health issues. He suggests that meditation may serve as a countermeasure, enhancing attention, executive control, and resilience, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of digital overload.
You can read more here: Could Meditation Be The Antidote
2. Mindfulness for High School Students:
A study published in BMC Psychology investigated the impact of brief mindfulness training on test anxiety among high school students. Over five days, students participated in daily eight-minute mindfulness sessions. The findings revealed that this short-term intervention significantly enhanced mindfulness levels, particularly in observation and description skills, reduced test anxiety, and improved exam performance. Notably, reductions in test anxiety were observed after just one session, suggesting that even brief mindfulness practices can effectively alleviate anxiety and bolster academic outcomes.
I used to offer regular ‘Exam Ease‘ classes and found that many parents and students were super eager for tools to help with de-stressing and refocusing in the lead-up to exams. Having some simple, breath-based meditative exercises readily available throughout the day, along with a gentle body scan meditation in the evening, can be incredibly supportive and empowering for students during this time.
You can read more here: The effectiveness of brief mindfulness training in reducing test anxiety among high school students
‘Meditation in the News’ is my attempt to build a regular habit of reading, digesting and sharing some of the (many) articles and press releases that I receive daily about meditation and meditation research. I hope you enjoy!
Read past editions of: ‘Meditation in the News‘