Mindfulness Meditation and Relaxation as Methods of Coping with Ego-Depletion

Abstract

Previous research suggests that the capacity for executive cognition and self-control is limited and fatigued through use, inducing a state known as ego-depletion. Mindfulness meditation is a specific practice of attention regulation that may be an effective technique for ameliorating the effects of ego-depletion. Mindfulness meditation, relaxation, and resting were compared as strategies for coping with ego-depletion. After two weeks’ of meditation or relaxation practice, participants performed a tedious task designed to induce ego-depletion in them and then performed the meditation or relaxation, or sat quietly. Results indicated that the three conditions performed at the same level. Personality variables indicated that core self-evaluations and extraversion accounted for a significant portion of the variance. Implications are discussed.