Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students
(1) Background: University students’ mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. This study evaluated a 12-week PA and meditation intervention to enhance psychological well-being in Spanish university students. (2) Methods: A quasi-exp...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Laura García-Pérez Rosario Padial-Ruz Mar Cepero-González José Luis Ubago-Jiménez |
| author_facet | Laura García-Pérez Rosario Padial-Ruz Mar Cepero-González José Luis Ubago-Jiménez |
| author_sort | Laura García-Pérez |
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| description | (1) Background: University students’ mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. This study evaluated a 12-week PA and meditation intervention to enhance psychological well-being in Spanish university students. (2) Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a non-randomized control group and pretest-posttest assessments. The study lasted 14 weeks (12 weeks of intervention and two for evaluations). Initially, 149 students were recruited, but the final sample included 136 (82 intervention, 54 control) due to attrition. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, respecting university-established groups. The intervention consisted of six PA sessions (aerobic, cardiovascular, and strength exercises) and six meditation sessions (yoga and mindfulness). Validated questionnaires assessed resilience, psychological distress, self-esteem, mood, personality traits, sedentary behavior, PA levels, and sleep duration. (3) Results: Significant improvements were found in resilience (<i>p</i> < 0.001), depression (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and sleep duration (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with greater mood benefits in men. No major changes were observed in other variables. (4) Conclusions: PA- and meditation-based interventions can improve students’ MH, particularly in key psychological aspects. Further research should explore long-term effects and refine strategies by distinguishing between preventive and therapeutic approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3f4e5a3f8cfc41bb9817446fc30bf67d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-3f4e5a3f8cfc41bb9817446fc30bf67d2025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-04-0115454910.3390/bs15040549Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University StudentsLaura García-Pérez0Rosario Padial-Ruz1Mar Cepero-González2José Luis Ubago-Jiménez3Department of Didactics of Corporal Expression, Faculty of Education, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Didactics of Corporal Expression, Faculty of Education, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Didactics of Corporal Expression, Faculty of Education, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Didactics of Corporal Expression, Faculty of Education, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain(1) Background: University students’ mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. This study evaluated a 12-week PA and meditation intervention to enhance psychological well-being in Spanish university students. (2) Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a non-randomized control group and pretest-posttest assessments. The study lasted 14 weeks (12 weeks of intervention and two for evaluations). Initially, 149 students were recruited, but the final sample included 136 (82 intervention, 54 control) due to attrition. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, respecting university-established groups. The intervention consisted of six PA sessions (aerobic, cardiovascular, and strength exercises) and six meditation sessions (yoga and mindfulness). Validated questionnaires assessed resilience, psychological distress, self-esteem, mood, personality traits, sedentary behavior, PA levels, and sleep duration. (3) Results: Significant improvements were found in resilience (<i>p</i> < 0.001), depression (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and sleep duration (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with greater mood benefits in men. No major changes were observed in other variables. (4) Conclusions: PA- and meditation-based interventions can improve students’ MH, particularly in key psychological aspects. Further research should explore long-term effects and refine strategies by distinguishing between preventive and therapeutic approaches.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/4/549mental healthpsychological well-beingphysical activitymeditationuniversity studentsintervention-based study |
| spellingShingle | Laura García-Pérez Rosario Padial-Ruz Mar Cepero-González José Luis Ubago-Jiménez Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students Behavioral Sciences mental health psychological well-being physical activity meditation university students intervention-based study |
| title | Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students |
| title_full | Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students |
| title_fullStr | Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students |
| title_short | Healthy Pills: A Physical Activity and Meditation Program to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being in Spanish University Students |
| title_sort | healthy pills a physical activity and meditation program to enhance mental health and well being in spanish university students |
| topic | mental health psychological well-being physical activity meditation university students intervention-based study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/4/549 |
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