8 Mindfulness Statistics To Know
Explore key mindfulness statistics, trends, and research-backed benefits. Learn how mindfulness is supporting stress relief, focus, and well-being.
Mindfulness can serve as a valuable wellness tool that many people turn to when life feels overwhelming or emotionally heavy. Mindfulness statistics show that interest in the practice is steadily rising — with research highlighting real benefits for stress, sleep, focus, and more.
From students to healthcare workers to everyday folks managing busy schedules, more and more people are practicing mindfulness to help support emotional wellness and stay present through the highs and lows.
Research shows that mindfulness practices are being embraced across the board — and for good reason. Below, we’ll break down key mindfulness statistics that highlight just how common and impactful this practice has become, while also exploring how it fits into a larger picture of stress management and daily mental wellness.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing your attention to the present moment — without judgment. It means being fully aware of where you are and what you're doing, rather than running on autopilot or getting caught in loops of overthinking.
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be tied to meditation, although meditation is one way to cultivate it. You can be mindful while walking, eating, breathing, or even brushing your teeth. The goal isn’t to bring more awareness to what’s happening right now.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
When practiced consistently, mindfulness may help support a calmer mindset, improve emotional resilience, and encourage more thoughtful reactions to stress.*
Mindfulness can be especially beneficial during times of high tension, but it’s also a great practice to incorporate into your everyday life as part of a well-rounded routine, or alongside other mental wellness practices.
What to know about chronic stress and its effects
Before we discuss the stats, let’s consider why mindfulness has become such a popular wellness tool: stress.
While occasional feelings of stress can help alert us to danger or assist our body in finding quick solutions to an issue, chronic stress can affect multiple systems in the body and mind.
When you’re in constant stress, your nervous system stays activated in fight-or-flight mode. That can lead to poor sleep quality, increased feelings of tension, low mood, and even digestive and immune system challenges.
You might notice that your jaw feels tight, your shoulders stay hunched, or your thoughts spiral more easily than usual. Over time, this stress overload can make it harder to focus, stay present, or feel emotionally steady.
That’s where mindfulness may offer support — helping to activate the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system and give your brain and body a chance to reset.*
Key mindfulness statistics to know
As stress rates continue to rise, so does interest in mindfulness. Here are some statistics that show how mindfulness is being embraced and the benefits associated with it:
- 14.2% of U.S. adults reported practicing some form of meditation, including mindfulness meditation. That’s a significant jump from just 4.1% in 2012.
- Among children aged 4-17, mindfulness meditation use increased more than tenfold between 2012 and 2017. This reflects a growing awareness of mental wellness practices being introduced in schools and at home.
- U.S. military veterans are increasingly using mindfulness practices as part of whole-person wellness routines. Programs have been integrated into the Veterans Health Administration, with studies showing potential benefits for managing stress, focus, and emotional regulation.*
- Over 50% of large employers in the U.S. now offer mindfulness or meditation-based employee wellness programs. These initiatives aim to support emotional wellness, reduce burnout, and promote a healthy workplace culture.
- A 2018 meta-analysis found that mindfulness-based interventions may help reduce symptoms associated with stress and support emotional well-being.* This includes improvements in mood, self-awareness, and responses to daily challenges.
- Mindfulness practices have also been studied in the context of sleep quality. Research suggests that regular mindfulness meditation may help support relaxation at night and reduce sleep disturbances for some individuals.*
- In a 2014 study, participants who completed an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program reported reduced feelings of bodily tension and emotional reactivity.*
- A 2020 study found that students who participated in brief daily mindfulness exercises showed improved attention span and decreased signs of emotional distress.*
These shifts reflect a broader cultural understanding: when we are equipped with tools to manage stress and regulate emotions, we're better able to navigate challenges and stressors in our everyday lives.
How to practice mindfulness in everyday life
Mindfulness is a practice that builds over time. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming — small, simple changes can have a lasting impact.
Here are a few practical ways to begin integrating mindfulness into your daily rhythm:
- Start with just a few minutes a day: Focus on your breath, notice sensations in your body, or observe your thoughts without judgment.
- Use guided audio or mobile apps: These can offer structure and encouragement, especially if you’re new to the practice.
- Be patient with yourself: It's totally normal for the mind to wander. The goal is not to completely clear your mind, but to bring it gently back to the present when it drifts.
- Practice during routine activities: Try being fully present while washing dishes, walking, or sipping tea. Mindfulness doesn’t always have to happen on a cushion.
It’s helpful to think of mindfulness not as something you achieve, but as something you return to — again and again — with compassion.
Tools that enhance mindfulness
Mindfulness is part of a bigger picture. Many people find it helpful to combine mindfulness with other calming, grounding practices that support the body and mind in different ways. These techniques can help bring balance, especially during seasons of high stress or emotional overwhelm.
Journaling
Journaling can be one of the most accessible ways to process thoughts, track patterns, and build self-awareness. Putting thoughts to paper can create space between emotions and reactions, giving you room to breathe, reflect, and gain clarity.
There’s also research behind it. Studies have shown that expressive writing may help support emotional regulation, reduce feelings of internal pressure, and encourage a greater sense of personal insight.* Whether you prefer guided prompts or free-flow writing, the key is to be consistent and honest.
You don’t need a fancy notebook or complicated format. A few minutes a day, even just writing down how you feel or what’s on your mind, can be enough to shift your internal state and support overall mental wellness.
Yoga and gentle movement
Mindfulness can also show up through physical movement. Yoga, walking, stretching, and other gentle forms of activity are powerful ways to connect breath and body. They may also help regulate the nervous system and ease physical feelings of tension that often accompany stress.
Studies have found that yoga and other mindful movement practices may help support flexibility, sleep quality, and emotional balance.* One of the key reasons: breathwork. When you move slowly and breathe intentionally, your body gets signals that it’s safe to relax.
Some people enjoy a structured yoga flow. Others may prefer a short morning stretch, a walk around the block, or a few deep breaths while sitting in stillness. The practice doesn’t need to be long or intense — just regular and intentional.
CBD and mindfulness
Hemp-derived CBD is another tool that can support wellness routines, especially when used alongside mindfulness-based practices. While CBD is not a treatment for stress, many people incorporate it into their lifestyle to help encourage relaxation, unwind in the evening, or calm the mind before sleep.*
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network involved in regulating balance across mood, sleep, digestion, and immune function.* While more research is still emerging, studies suggest that CBD may help the body regulate stress levels and promote a more relaxed state of mind.*
It’s important to choose a clean, third-party-tested product when incorporating CBD into your wellness routine. Depending on your needs, you might explore options like:
- Full spectrum CBD oil tinctures taken in the evening to help ease into a restful state*
- Topical CBD creams used alongside massage or body scans to help soothe physical tension*
- Hemp-derived CBD gummies as a consistent, easy-to-take option for daily calm*
If you’re new to CBD, start with a low serving size and observe how your body responds. You can gradually increase as needed while staying attuned to how it fits into your broader routine.
Breathwork and body scans
One of the quickest and most accessible ways to shift into a more mindful state is through conscious breathing. Deep breathing slows the heart rate, helps relax the muscles, and may support the parasympathetic nervous system — all of which may contribute to a more balanced emotional state.*
You don’t need a guided session to start. Try this simple practice:
- 1. Inhale through your nose for four counts
- Hold for four counts
- Exhale through your mouth for six counts
- Repeat for two to five minutes
Body scans are another calming practice. These involve slowly moving your attention through different parts of the body, from head to toe, while observing any sensations without judgment. Body scans can be especially helpful before bed or when you’re feeling disconnected from the present moment.
Digital boundaries and time outdoors
Mindfulness isn’t just about what you do — it’s also about what you step away from. Taking intentional breaks from screens, news, and notifications can help create the mental space needed to reflect and reconnect.
Spending time in nature can amplify this effect. Studies have shown that time in natural environments may help lower markers of physical tension, support emotional resilience, and encourage focus.* Whether it’s a walk through the park, tending to your garden, or sitting under a tree for a few quiet minutes, nature offers a reset that pairs beautifully with mindfulness.
Setting gentle digital boundaries, like muting alerts in the evening or taking social media breaks, can also support mental clarity. These small shifts help keep your environment aligned with your wellness goals.
How to get started with mindfulness
If mindfulness feels overwhelming or unfamiliar, that’s okay. You don’t need to have all the answers or commit to a strict daily routine. What matters most is that you start somewhere and allow your practice to evolve naturally.
You might begin with a five-minute guided meditation, a nightly journaling habit, a CBD tincture taken before bed to help you unwind, a walk without your phone, simply noticing the world around you, or three deep breaths when you’re feeling emotionally tense.
There’s no right or wrong way to practice mindfulness. What matters is that it feels grounding, calming, and aligned with your needs.
The bottom line on mindfulness statistics
As the mindfulness statistics show, more people are turning to simple practices like breathwork and journaling to manage stress and feel more grounded.
At Sunmed, we believe in supporting the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. We understand how fast-paced and overwhelming life can feel at times, and we’re here to help make calm a little more accessible.
Our hemp products are crafted with clean ingredients and backed by science. From calming tinctures to supportive topicals and gummies, our formulas are designed to fit into your day in simple, approachable ways. Whether you're practicing mindfulness, journaling before bed, or simply trying to wind down after a long day, our products are here to support you.
You deserve to feel grounded, nourished, and cared for, and we’re honored to be part of your wellness journey.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
Chronic stress puts your health at risk | Mayo Clinic
Use of Yoga, Meditation, and Chiropractors Among US Adults Aged 18 and Over | CDC
Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol | PMC
Participant experiences of change in mindfulness-based stress reduction for anxiety disorders | PMC
Mindfulness meditation helps fight insomnia, improves sleep | Harvard Health
Meditation and Mindfulness: Effectiveness and Safety | NCCIH