The Impact of Outdoor in Nature Mindfulness on the Mental Well-being of Children and Adolescents. A Mental Health and Cross-cultural Approach.
Materia socio-medica January 1, 2024 Alexandros Argyriadis, Emmanuel Kopanakis, Panagiotis Koutras et al. 7 citations
Mindfulness, rooted in ancient meditation, has drawn scientific interest for its potential to improve well-being. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and related interventions reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and boost cognitive flexibility. This review of existing literature describes mindfulness's benefits across diverse groups, including health professionals, patients, children, adolescents, and the general public. Mindfulness practice is associated with notable reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, and positive effects on brain plasticity and cognitive functioning. Combining mindfulness with nature-based interventions may enhance stress reduction and cognitive restoration. Mindfulness appears to be a cost-effective, accessible intervention for promoting mental health across age groups. Further research should explore mechanisms and long-term effects of this integrated approach.