Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part B (2025)

Background: Mental health disorders are a significant global health concern, disproportionately affecting women due to a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Meditation, a centuries-old practice with growing scientific validation, is increasingly recognized as an effective, non-invasive intervention to improve mental health outcomes. However, a comprehensive review focusing on the specific impact of meditation on women's mental health remains underexplored.
Aim: This review aims to examine the role of meditation in addressing mental health challenges faced by women. It evaluates the prevalence of mental health disorders in women, explores the neurophysiological mechanisms of meditation, and highlights the benefits of different meditation techniques across various life stages.
Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, focusing on studies published in the last two decades. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO were searched using keywords like "meditation," "mental health," "women," "stress," "depression," and "anxiety." Articles addressing meditation's psychological and physiological effects on women were included.
Results: Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, are significantly more prevalent in women due to hormonal fluctuations, caregiving responsibilities, and sociocultural stressors. Meditation interventions, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), loving-kindness meditation (LKM), and transcendental meditation, have shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in women. Neuroimaging studies reveal that meditation enhances activity in brain regions associated with emotion regulation, attention, and self-awareness. Additionally, meditation reduces cortisol levels, mitigating the impact of chronic stress. Evidence highlights its benefits during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, as well as for managing workplace stress and trauma recovery.
Conclusion: Meditation is a promising tool for addressing the unique mental health needs of women. It offers physiological and psychological benefits that span across various life stages. Despite its potential, further research is needed to address gaps in understanding its long-term effects and to develop culturally sensitive, accessible interventions.