Knowledge Box

Mindfulness, Sleep, and Emotions

HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons

Mindfulness has been positively linked to enhanced regulation of emotions and positive physical health outcome like sleep (Baime et al., 2012). In the study currently underway, we are investigating the utility of coloring complex shapes as a way to induce mindfulness and improve emotion regulation. Participants are randomly assigned to a control group or a coloring group and then complete a series of assessments online every day for a week. The online assessments include measures of state mindfulness, emotional states, and sleep quality. The coloring group completes the additional task of coloring complex sheets each day in an attempt to induce a mindful state. We expect that mindfulness/coloring participants will report more positive emotions, less emotional volatility, and more state mindfulness. If supported, these results will suggest a possible mindfulness task that can disseminate easily into people’s daily lives and demonstrate how incorporating these simple tasks can help improve well-being.