The Effects of an Online Yoga Nidra Meditation on Subjective Well-Being and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress June 1, 2025 Esther N Moszeik, Nicolas Rohleder, Karl-Heinz Renner 10 citations
A randomized controlled trial tested two durations of Yoga Nidra meditation (11 minutes and 30 minutes) against an active control (10 minutes of music) and a waitlist control, with 362 participants practicing daily online for two months. The 11-minute Yoga Nidra group showed small but significant improvements in psychological well-being compared to the waitlist, including reduced depression compared to the active control. Regular practice was linked to lower total cortisol and steeper daily cortisol declines. The 30-minute form increased acting with awareness more than the short form and produced a flatter cortisol wake-up reaction. The findings suggest even brief, low-cost interventions can yield health-promoting effects.