Abstract:
Adolescence is an important stage of life when an individual has to grapple with umpteen challenges like peer
pressure, self-identity crisis, establishing and development of relationships, psychological and emotional issues, social
problems and school-related issues. Adolescents are vulnerable to various mental health challenges. To obtain a deep
understanding of this problem and to study possible solutions, the researcher researched the current topic. This Research
explores the potential of Sahaja Yoga Meditation intervention to mitigate Stress, Social anxiety, and Aggression and to
enhance emotional maturity for such concerns. The Researcher used Mixed-method research that included experimental
research and interviews. Taking into consideration its findings, a Sahaja Yoga meditation intervention involving
secondary school students was conducted. The Sahaja Yoga meditation was meant to acquaint students with the nature of
Social Anxiety, Stress, Aggression and Emotional maturity, develop an understanding of their cause-and-effect
relationship and develop positive attitudes about the existing conditions. A Pre-test, Post-test equivalent group design was
used for experimental research to study the effectiveness of the Sahaja Yoga meditation on Social Anxiety, Stress,
Aggression and Emotional Maturity. The Sahaja Yoga meditation was executed on secondary school students. The
findings of the research concluded that Sahaja Yoga meditation practices bring about a positive outcome in the students.The findings and discussion will be of great help to the students to bring about well-being and boost the mental health of
secondary school students helping to cope with social anxiety, Stress and Aggression and develop Emotional maturity to
enhance their mental strength for handling challenging situations and leading a healthy life.
There is increasing interest world over in the integration
of meditation into the school curriculum. These are
considered to be measures to proactively address issues
related to the mental well-being of learners. The results
of this study support this view. Inculcating meditation
into the curriculum would go a long way in providing
the tools to manage stress, develop emotional resilience
and cultivate an environment in schools that favoursacademic success and holistic development of students.
This study brings out the benefits of meditation
intervention on the mental health and well-being of
students studying in secondary schools.
Meditation should become an integral component of
school-based interventions. Efforts are needed to
implement and evaluate such mental health programs
meant for the welfare of students. After the meditation
intervention was concluded, the researcher conducted
brief interviews with the participants. Each of these
interviews of the participants was approximately 10
minutes in duration.
Perceptions of Meditation After the Study
The qualitative analysis of the experiences of 48
participants revealed several key themes illustrating the
impact of meditation on various aspects of their lives,
particularly in terms of academic performance, mental
health, and emotional well-being.
Key Themes Identified
1. Reduction of Stress and Anxiety
2. Improvement in Academic Performance and
Confidence
3. Enhanced Emotional and Mental Clarity
4. Coping with Physical Symptoms and Daily
Challenges
Reduction of Stress and Anxiety
A significant proportion of participants (85%) reported
that meditation substantially reduced their stress and
anxiety levels.
Narratives:
Participants frequently highlighted a marked reduction
in stress and anxiety levels post-intervention:
• One participant detailed the alleviation of panic
attacks, stating: "
• Another participant mentioned: "I had a lot of anxiety,
a lot of stress, a lot of fear about the exams," illustrating
the stress relief experienced.
Analysis:
The findings indicate that meditation is highly effective
in reducing stress and anxiety, crucial for participants
managing academic pressures. The consistent calmingeffect facilitated better emotional regulation in stressfulacademic contexts.
Improvement in Academic Performance and
Confidence
Participants reported significant enhancements in
academic performance and confidence:
Narratives:
• One participant noted: "I got the courage to give my
exams and I confidently gave them," signifying
increased self-assurance.
• Another remarked: "The pressure to succeed all
melted away in the soothing rhythm of my breath,"
reflecting the decrease in academic pressure.
Analysis:
Meditation significantly boosted participants'
confidence and academic performance by reducing selfdoubt and promoting a calm, focused mindset
conducive to academic success.
Enhanced Emotional and Mental Clarity
Participants described notable improvements in
emotional and mental clarity:
Narratives:
• Participants reported experiencing deep focus and
mental clarity, with one stating: "I felt the weight of my
anxieties lift, and the fears of failure dissipate."
• Another participant observed: "As the session drew to
a close, I emerged from the meditation feeling resonated
and centred," indicating heightened mental clarity.
Analysis:
The enhanced clarity facilitated by meditation allowed
participants to manage their thoughts and emotions
more effectively, benefiting both academic pursuits and
overall mental well-being.
Coping with Physical Symptoms and Daily
Challenges
Participants found meditation helpful in managing
physical symptoms related to stress and anxiety:
Narratives:
• One participant noted improvements in handling panic
attacks: "I hope I could benefit from improved sleep
schedules and better manage my panic attacks."
• Another stated: "I felt the weight of my anxieties lift,
and the fear of failure dissipate," highlighting the
alleviation of physical stress symptoms.
Analysis:
The holistic benefits of meditation, including the
management of physical symptoms such as panic
attacks and sleep disturbances, underscore its efficacy
in enhancing overall well-being.
Conclusion
This multifaceted research endeavour illuminated the
complex psychological landscape of students and
offered invaluable insights into the efficacy of
interventions designed to enhance their emotional wellbeing. The study's findings underscore the necessity of
targeted, gender-sensitive, and personalized
interventions in nurturing students' emotional
intelligence, serving as a foundation for evidence-based
strategies that foster resilience, empathy, and emotional
maturity. The thematic analysis revealed that the
meditation intervention significantly reduced stress and
anxiety, enhanced academic performance and
confidence, improved emotional and mental clarity, and
better managed physical symptoms. These outcomes
highlight the potential of meditation as a powerful tool
for enhancing mental health and overall quality of life.
The integration of qualitative and quantitative analyses
strengthens the validity of these findings, emphasizing
the broad applicability of meditation interventions
across diverse populations. Future research should
explore long-term effects and specific factors that
enhance or moderate meditation practices, ensuring that
educational environments equip students with essential
life skills for their holistic development.
https://africanjournalofbiomedicalresearch.com/index.php/AJBR
