Daily Mindfulness Practice Eases Anxiety in Autistic Adults

Recent research conducted by scientists at MIT's McGovern Institute for Brain Research highlights the positive impact of daily mindfulness exercises on anxiety levels among autistic adults. Participants engaging in just 10 to 15 minutes of mindfulness each day experienced significant reductions in stress and anxiety, supported by the use of a free smartphone app that provided guided meditations, allowing flexible and convenient practice anywhere, anytime.

Mindfulness, a mental state focused on the present moment, is cultivated through meditation and breathing exercises. Evidence from the study, published in the journal Mindfulness, demonstrates that consistent mindfulness practice can improve mental health and emotional well-being. The study observed that, after six weeks of regular practice, participants reported decreased feelings of stress and anxiety, alongside increases in positive emotions.

The research team, led by Professor John Gabrieli and investigator Liron Rozenkrantz, chose to explore mindfulness for autistic adults due to their typically elevated levels of anxiety, with estimates indicating that up to 65% of autistic adults may suffer from an anxiety disorder. Autistic adults often face barriers in accessing traditional mental health resources; thus, smartphone-based interventions offer a promising alternative.

Involving 89 autistic adults, the study split participants into two groups — one began practicing immediately, while the other served as a waitlist control. Participants used the Healthy Minds app daily, engaging in seated or active meditations of 10-15 minutes. Results showed that those practicing mindfulness experienced significant improvements in anxiety and perceived stress, with effects persisting even after stopping the practice for a period.

The findings suggest that mindfulness habits may have lasting benefits, as many participants maintained their enhanced well-being despite discontinuing regular practice. This highlights the potential for mindfulness to be incorporated into long-term self-care routines for autistic adults.

Dr. Gabrieli emphasizes that smartphone-based mindfulness interventions are especially suitable for individuals who may find social interactions challenging or lack access to traditional therapies. He advocates for increasing availability of scientifically validated mental health tools for adults with autism, many of whom often have fewer resources than children.

Overall, the study reinforces that consistent mindfulness practice can be a simple, accessible, and effective way to improve mental health among autistic adults, with potential benefits extending across different age groups and life circumstances.