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Gary E. Schwartz

2 papers in the library · 677 citations · publishing 1976-1978

Papers

Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise

Psychosomatic Medicine June 1, 1978 Gary E. Schwartz, Richard J. Davidson, Daniel J. Goleman 398 citations

Anxiety comprises both cognitive (worry) and somatic (bodily tension) components, and different relaxation techniques may target these components differently. In a retrospective comparison of 77 people—44 who regularly practiced physical exercise and 33 who regularly practiced meditation for similar periods—those who exercised reported less somatic anxiety and more cognitive anxiety than meditators. The findings suggest that physical exercise and meditation are differentially associated with somatic and cognitive subcomponents of anxiety. The authors propose that relaxation involves both a generalized reduction across multiple physiological systems and technique-specific patterns of change. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms.

DOI: 10.1097/00006842-197806000-00004 Meditation Cognition Relaxation psychology Somatic anxiety +4

Meditation as an intervention in stress reactivity.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology January 1, 1976 Daniel J. Goleman, Gary E. Schwartz 279 citations

Meditation may help manage stress by inducing a low-arousal state that inhibits the autonomic activation typical of the stress response. If the temporary effects of meditation become lasting traits, its significance as a daily stress intervention could be major. Experienced meditators practicing transcendental meditation showed a stress reactivity pattern that contrasts with that of chronically anxious individuals, particularly in faster stress recovery and lower state and trait anxiety levels.

DOI: 10.1037/0022-006x.44.3.456