Story perspectives

Mindfulness App Cuts Rumination, Boosts Well-Being in College Students

7/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers Paul Verhaeghen, Shelley Aikman, and Nilam Ram studied 264 U.S. college students, half in an eight-week mindfulness program and half on a waitlist.
A smartphone app sent four daily prompts and found that higher mindfulness reduced next-day rumination and cognitive interference, improving mental health by day three.
Combined, non-judgmental acceptance and observation lowered rumination and anxiety and raised self-compassion and awe, a cascade the program did not alter.

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Story summary

Researchers Paul Verhaeghen, Shelley Aikman, and Nilam Ram studied 264 U.S. college students, half in an eight-week mindfulness program and half on a waitlist.
A smartphone app sent four daily prompts and found that higher mindfulness reduced next-day rumination and cognitive interference, improving mental health by day three.
Combined, non-judgmental acceptance and observation lowered rumination and anxiety and raised self-compassion and awe, a cascade the program did not alter.