Abstract:

Researchers have found that mindfulness can reduce stress, pain, and psychological discomfort. However, little research has been devoted to identifying the underlying mechanisms of mindfulness. In the current study, the relationship between mindfulness and heart rate variability was examined. Measures of heart rate variability were collected from participants while relaxing and while viewing an emotion evoking film clip. Heart rate variability data was also collected at the participant's home for the remainder of the day. It was found that those high in mindfulness experienced greater high frequency heart rate variability than those low in mindfulness during relaxation and at home. However, there was no difference in heart rate variability between those high in mindfulness and those low in mindfulness while viewing the film clip. Furthermore, the relationship between mindfulness and daily hassles was explored. While mindfulness was found to predict perceptions of daily hassles, those perceptions were not found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and heart rate variability.