Does Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness Contribute to Reducing Perceived Stress in Women Who Practice Yoga and Are Physically Active?

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate whether yoga practice and physical activity level play an essential role in trait mindfulness and perceived stress reduction. Moreover, the study examined the differences in trait mindfulness and perceived stress between women who practiced yoga and those who engaged in other physical activities or were physically inactive, taking into account the time spent on physical activity in accordance with the World Health Organization recommendations. (2) Methods: A sample of 201 women participated in a cross-sectional online-based study, including 96 yoga practitioners and 105 non-practitioners of yoga (including physically active and inactive individuals). The average age of the participants was 36 years (range, 18-72 years; M = 36.19, SD = 11.64). Respondents completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). (3) Results: Women who practiced yoga and were physically active had a significantly higher level of trait mindfulness and lower perceived stress levels than women who did not practice yoga and were physically inactive. An indirect effect of physical activity on perceived stress through mindfulness was shown only for women practicing yoga for at least 150 min per week. (4) Conclusions: This study revealed the importance of frequent yoga practice in reducing perceived stress and improving mindfulness traits. These findings may serve as a basis for implementing preventive actions in women experiencing high levels of everyday stress.

Keywords: mindfulness; perceived stress; physical activity; women’s health; yoga practice.

Figure 1

The distribution of scores (a,c) and mean results (b,d) for trait mindfulness (a,b) and perceived stress (c,d) in groups representing four types of activity in women. NANY = no active and no yoga, PANY = physically active and no yoga, NAYA = no active and yoga active, PAYA = physically active and yoga active. The dots in the figure represent the individual results of the participants. Error bars are standard errors (SE). *** p < 0.001.

Figure 2

Pearson’s correlation between trait mindfulness and perceived stress in particular groups, depending on the type of activity (Yoga and physical activity). NANY = no active and no yoga, PANY = physically active and no yoga, NAYA = no active and yoga active, PAYA = physically active and yoga active.

Figure 3

Mediation model for the indirect effect of activity type on perceived stress via trait mindfulness. Numbers represent standardized regression estimates (β). For the variable Activity, the contrasts are: Activity1 = PANY–NANY, Activity2 = NAYA–NANY, Activity3 = PAYA–NANY, where NANY = no active and no yoga, PANY = physically active and no yoga, NAYA = no active and yoga active, PAYA = physically active and yoga active.