Role of Meditation in Stress Management among Youth: A Narrative Review

Stress has emerged as one of the most significant psychological and public health concerns among youth due to increasing academic demands, career uncertainty, social expectations, and rapid technological changes. Persistent stress adversely affects mental health, emotional well-being, academic performance, and overall quality of life. Meditation has emerged as a promising non pharmacological intervention for promoting psychological well-being and enhancing stress management. The present narrative review aims to examine the role of various meditation practices, including Rajyoga Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation, Vipassana Meditation, Transcendental Meditation, and Yoga-based meditation, in managing stress among youth. Relevant literature from peer-reviewed journals, books, and authoritative reports was systematically reviewed to synthesize current evidence on the effectiveness of meditation-based interventions. The reviewed studies consistently indicate that regular meditation practice is associated with reduced perceived stress, improved emotional regulation, enhanced resilience, better cognitive functioning, and overall psychological well-being among young individuals. The review also discusses the possible psychological and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these benefits and highlights the practical implications of integrating meditation into educational institutions and youth wellness programs. Although the available evidence strongly supports the beneficial role of meditation in stress management, further longitudinal and high-quality randomized controlled studies are recommended to strengthen the existing evidence base. Overall, meditation represents an accessible, cost-effective, and holistic approach to promoting stress management and psychological well-being among youth.