Breathing techniques and emotional intelligence strategies
are highly effective in improving the well-being and mental health of the student
community, a study by the US-based Yale University has found.
Researchers at the Yale Child Study Center and the Yale
Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI) conducted the study, which tested
three skill-building training programs on 135 undergraduate subjects for eight
weeks (30 hours total), and measured results against those of a
non-intervention control group.
They found that a training program called SKY Campus
Happiness, developed by the Art of Living Foundation, which relies on a
breathing technique called SKY Breath Meditation (Sudharshan Kriya), yoga postures, social connection, and service
activities, was most beneficial. Following the SKY sessions, students reported
improvements in six areas of well-being: depression, stress, mental health,
mindfulness, positive affect, and social connectedness.
A second program called Foundations of Emotional
Intelligence, developed by the YCEI, resulted in one improvement: greater
mindfulness — the ability for students to be present and enjoy the moment.
In all, 135 Yale undergraduate students participated in the
study.
The researchers, who reported findings in the July 15 edition
of Frontiers in Psychiatry, said such resiliency training programs could be a
valuable tool for addressing the mental health crisis on university campuses.
“In addition to academic skills, we need to teach students
how to live a balanced life,” said Emma Seppälä, lead author and faculty
director of the Women’s Leadership Program at Yale School of Management.
“Student mental health has been on the decline over the last 10 years, and with
the pandemic and racial tensions, things have only gotten worse.”
Davornne Lindo, a member of the Yale track team who
participated in the SKY Campus Happiness program, said practicing breathing
techniques helped her to manage stress from both academics and athletics. “Now
that I have these techniques to help me, I would say that my mentality is a lot
healthier,” she said.
