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Meditation (NSDR/Yoga Nidra)

Also known as: non-sleep deep rest, yoga nidra, NSDR

AAdequate Evidence96 studies referenced

Guided relaxation protocol that promotes deep rest without sleep. Shown to restore dopamine levels and enhance learning.

Duration

10-20 minutes

Frequency

Daily

Equipment

None

How to do it

  1. 1Lie down comfortably
  2. 2Use a guided NSDR or Yoga Nidra recording (10-20 min)
  3. 3Follow the body scan and breathing instructions
  4. 4Don't try to stay awake or fall asleep — just follow the guide
  5. 5Ideal after learning or during afternoon dip

Safety notes

Very safe. May fall asleep — that's fine.

Studies on Meditation (NSDR/Yoga Nidra) (96)

1.

Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Goyal M, et al. (2014) · JAMA Intern Med · n=3,515

Meta-analysisPubMedDOI
2.

Effects of Yoga Nidra on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ghai S (2026) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · n=5,201

3.

Strength-based capacity-building interventions to promote adolescents' mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fu C (2025) · European child & adolescent psychiatry

4.

Effects of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression of Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Değirmenci F (2025) · Worldviews on evidence-based nursing

5.

Mindfulness-based interventions for cancer patients in standard treatment: A meta-analysis of effects on depression, anxiety, and quality of life.

Štánerová E (2025) · Journal of psychosomatic research · n=1,124

6.

The Effect of Self-Compassion-Focused Interventions for People with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ma Y (2025) · Substance use & misuse

7.

Effectiveness of Meditation Techniques in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Orme-Johnson DW (2024) · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · n=3,440

8.

The effect of treatment on the quality of life of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dos Santos-Ribeiro S (2025) · Journal of psychiatric research

9.

Digital Interventions and Mental Health Outcomes in Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Wu Z (2025) · JMIR cancer

10.

Yoga, mindfulness and acupuncture impact on burnout: a preliminary meta-analysis.

Esperança MB (2026) · Psychology, health & medicine · n=1,364

11.

Optimizing Workplace Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Stratton E (2025) · Journal of medical Internet research

12.

The role of self-compassion and mindfulness in the association between adverse childhood experiences and psychological distress: A meta-analytic mediation analysis.

Turk F (2026) · Child abuse & neglect

13.

Evaluation of mindfulness-based interventions for pain, anxiety, and depression in spinal cord injury patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Reilly A (2025) · Clinical neurology and neurosurgery

14.

The effectiveness of second-generation mindfulness interventions on anxiety and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xu L (2026) · Clinical psychology review

15.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Transcendental Meditation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Orme-Johnson DW (2025) · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · n=1,248

16.

Effects of Mindfulness Therapy on Stress and Mindfulness Levels in Nursing Students: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Jin Y (2026) · International journal of nursing practice

17.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life in women breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tenorio do Amaral PG (2026) · Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland)

18.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Stress Management in Pregnant Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Kim JI (2026) · JMIR mHealth and uHealth

19.

Digital and AI-enhanced psychosocial interventions in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anto B (2026) · Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

20.

Effects of internet-based mindfulness interventions on anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

Wang S (2025) · General hospital psychiatry

21.

The Impact of Online Mindfulness Interventions on Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Liu Q (2025) · International journal of mental health nursing · n=2,725

22.

Effects of prenatal exercise on prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Dong J (2026) · Journal of affective disorders

23.

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Wang H (2025) · Journal of affective disorders

24.

A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis on the efficacy and potential of mobile interventions for stress management.

Zhu H (2025) · Nature human behaviour · n=20,454

25.

Plant-Based Diets and Mental and Neurocognitive Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Bizzozero-Peroni B (2025) · Nutrition reviews

26.

Cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies for mental health and quality of life of breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Su R (2025) · International journal of clinical oncology

27.

A whole-brain voxel-based analysis of structural abnormalities in PTSD: An ENIGMA-PGC study.

See CRZ (2025) · European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists

28.

Effectiveness and influence of mindfulness-based intervention on migraine patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Liao YC (2025) · Journal of psychosomatic research

29.

Integrating mindfulness and physical activity: a meta-analysis of mindful movement interventions for symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students.

Xu X (2025) · PeerJ

30.

Meta-analysis of heat-induced changes in cardiac function from over 400 laboratory-based heat exposure studies.

Meade RD (2025) · Nature communications

31.

Cultivating Resilience: Meta-Analysis of Mindfulness-Based Training for Nurse Stress and Burnout Mitigation.

Du J (2026) · Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services

32.

Comparative effects of mind-body exercises on anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Tang Y (2026) · Heart & lung : the journal of critical care

33.

Treatment for anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnant people experiencing antepartum hospitalization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Soehl JR (2025) · American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM

34.

The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Older Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Li Y (2025) · Behavioral sleep medicine

35.

Mind-body exercise for improving balance, aerobic capacity, walking ability, muscle strength, and mental health in patients with type 2 diabetes: a network meta-analysis.

Wu F (2026) · Frontiers in endocrinology

36.

Mind-body intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Bianjiang Z (2025) · BMC psychiatry

37.

Comparative Efficacy and Attrition Rates of Psychosocial Interventions for Individuals Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Li Y (2025) · Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress · n=20,470

38.

Effect of mindfulness-based intervention in patients with diabetes: a meta-analytic review.

Páez-Márquez CS (2025) · Psychology, health & medicine

39.

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on rumination and related psychological indicators: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wei S (2025) · BMC psychology

40.

Interventions to promote resilience in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Mei Z (2025) · General hospital psychiatry

41.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy via e-health on anxiety and depression in adults: A meta-analysis.

Wang S (2025) · General hospital psychiatry

42.

Effects of prenatal yoga on birth outcomes in nulliparous women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Chen F (2025) · BMC pregnancy and childbirth

43.

Structural Covariance of Early Visual Cortex Is Negatively Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Mega-Analysis From the ENIGMA PTSD Working Group.

Harnett NG (2026) · Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging

44.

The effect of mindfulness training on the psychological state of high-level athletes: Meta analysis and system evaluation research.

Zhang J (2025) · Journal of sports sciences

45.

Comparative Efficacy of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Disorder, and Quality of Life in Patients With Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Li M (2025) · Journal of clinical nursing

46.

The efficacy of collaborative psychological interventions in reducing anxiety levels in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Firrahmawati L (2025) · BMC pregnancy and childbirth

47.

The Role of Self-Compassion in Teachers' Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Wong MYC (2025) · International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie

48.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Effect of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on Pain Severity and Quality of Life in People Living With Fibromyalgia.

Walsh E (2026) · European journal of pain (London, England)

49.

Effects of CBT-based interventions on health outcomes in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Liu W (2025) · Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan)

50.

Which type and dosage of mindfulness-based interventions are most effective for chronic pain? A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Zhu M (2025) · Journal of psychosomatic research · n=5,339

51.

Effectiveness of virtual reality on anxiety, pain, sleep quality, and post-traumatic stress disorder for critically ill patients in intensive care units: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Lu S (2025) · Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses

52.

Effects of online mindfulness-based interventions on mental and physical health outcomes in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Xu L (2025) · Medicine

53.

Effectiveness of leader-targeted stress management interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dannheim I (2025) · Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health

54.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health among women with fetal loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wang X (2025) · Midwifery

55.

Mind over Malignancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychological Distress, Coping, and Therapeutic Interventions in Oncology.

Paslaru AM (2025) · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

56.

A meta-analysis of parental burnout interventions.

Urbanowicz AM (2026) · Journal of affective disorders

57.

Prevention of burnout syndrome in physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Krebs L (2026) · Wiener klinische Wochenschrift

58.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Reduce Stress and Depression Among Midwives and Nurses: A Meta-Analysis Study.

Zeng R (2026) · Worldviews on evidence-based nursing

59.

Evidence-Based Pathways to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lifestyle Interventions for Longevity and Well-Being.

Joshi S (2025) · Investigacion y educacion en enfermeria

60.

The Optimal Type and Dose of Exercise for Elevating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Patients With Depression: A Systematic Review With Pairwise, Network, and Dose-Response Meta-Analyses.

Yuping Z (2024) · Depression and anxiety · n=2,515

61.

Methodological quality in randomised clinical trials of mental health apps: systematic review and longitudinal analysis.

Linardon J (2025) · BMJ mental health

62.

Effects of Mindfulness Therapy on Breast Cancer Patients with Depression or Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Yan J (2025) · Actas espanolas de psiquiatria

63.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on psychosocial well-being and occupational-related outcomes among nurses in the intensive care unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Liu M (2025) · Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses

64.

Adult individual resilience interventions: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

Liao RW (2025) · Journal of psychiatric research

65.

Effect of antenatal education and midwifery-led care on maternal anxiety, depression, and birth outcomes: A meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Xu Y (2026) · Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives

66.

Mindfulness interventions and quality of life in anxiety-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fortes PP (2025) · Journal of affective disorders · n=465

67.

Consumer-Grade Neurofeedback With Mindfulness Meditation: Meta-Analysis.

Treves I (2025) · Journal of medical Internet research

68.

Comparative effectiveness of resilience-related interventions on resilience and stress for healthcare professionals: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Janitra FE (2025) · International journal of nursing studies

69.

Mindfulness- and acceptance-based programmes for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bürkle JJ (2025) · Journal of anxiety disorders · n=2,221

70.

Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention on Maternal Mental Health Symptoms Among Patients Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Meta-Analysis.

Xiao X (2026) · Nursing in critical care

71.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of relaxation techniques to reduce burden of disease in patients with psychotic disorders.

Schlößer N (2026) · Scientific reports · n=1,292

72.

The effects of nursing interventions on anxiety and depression in infertile females undergoing assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xu Q (2025) · BMC women's health

73.

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance- and Mindfulness-Based Treatments in Adults with Bodily Distress: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Maas Genannt Bermpohl F (2025) · Psychotherapy and psychosomatics

74.

Treatment of gaming disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Harpas I (2025) · Psychiatry research

75.

Psychotherapies for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Sun L (2025) · Journal of affective disorders

76.

Association between user engagement and clinical outcomes in smartphone apps for depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Linardon J (2026) · Psychiatry research

77.

Mindfulness-Based Programmes for Work Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Vainre M (2025) · Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress

78.

Psychotherapies for adults with complex presentations of PTSD: a clinical guideline and five systematic reviews with meta-analyses.

Schaug JP (2025) · BMJ mental health

79.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Psychological Outcomes in Surgeons: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hajibandeh S (2025) · World journal of surgery

80.

The impact of community-based, non-pharmaceutical interventions on anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Zhang R (2025) · Journal of psychiatric research

81.

The impact of mind-body exercise on female breast cancer patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Li L (2025) · Frontiers in public health

82.

Psychosocial interventions for psoriasis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Lu L (2025) · The Journal of dermatological treatment

83.

Mind-body therapies for sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety in menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Fan Z (2025) · Frontiers in public health

84.

Yoga for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Saab O (2025) · The American journal of gastroenterology

85.

Spirituality and Medicine in the USA, Europe, and the UK: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Integrative Approaches to Patient Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Health Outcomes.

Choudhary AK (2026) · Journal of religion and health

86.

Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on cancer-related cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Yang P (2025) · European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society

87.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Adults With Cancer: A Stratified Subgroup Meta-Analysis.

Ajele KW (2026) · Psycho-oncology

88.

Effects of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Psychological Distress in Patients With Malignant Tumors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Zhang W (2025) · Worldviews on evidence-based nursing

89.

Effectiveness of psychological nursing interventions for depression, anxiety and mental health resilience: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wang X (2026) · Archives of psychiatric nursing

90.

Efficacy and safety of cognitive and behavioral interventions in treating body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Ko YC (2026) · General hospital psychiatry

91.

Management of neuropathic pain and paresthesia in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Mohamadi M (2025) · Multiple sclerosis and related disorders

92.

Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on perinatal mood disorders and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fu Y (2025) · Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology

93.

The impact of yoga on posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Sinnott SM (2026) · Journal of traumatic stress

94.

Psychological intervention for postpartum depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Qin K (2026) · Journal of affective disorders

95.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Patients with Anxiety in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Reangsing C (2025) · Journal of integrative and complementary medicine · n=1,431

96.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Breathlessness in Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

Wang Y (2026) · Journal of pain and symptom management

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