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Mindfulness meditation with a focus on nonjudgment of emotions may help perfectionists recover from stress, according to a study published in Psychophysiology.

The study used high frequency heart rate variability to measure from stress during sessions in 120 who scored high on a screening tool for perfectionism—the need to be or appear perfect.

Mindfulness meditation sessions that incorporated a nonjudgment element—or awareness and acceptance—led to better recovery compared with general mindfulness meditation sessions.

"This study extends the findings of mindfulness researchers and suggests the potential importance of nonjudgment of emotions and experiences during mindfulness practice for perfectionists," said lead author Hannah Koerten, MA, of Bowling Green State University.

More information: Hannah R. Koerten et al, Cardiovascular effects of brief mindfulness meditation among perfectionists experiencing failure, Psychophysiology (2020). DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13517

Provided by Wiley