Top ten US states for mindfulness and meditation

A new study has revealed that Colorado is the state most interested in mindfulness and meditation. Meditation music site MindWings, analyzed the number of Google searches for 45 terms relating to yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, then compared that with each state’s population to see which states are the most interested in achieving inner zen.

1. Colorado

Colorado is the state most interested in mindfulness and meditation, with 1,668 searches per 100,000 residents each month on average. The Centennial State’s searches were 80.2% higher than the national average of 926 average monthly searches per 100,000. Overall, Colorado made 97,465 searches for mindfulness and meditation topics.

2. Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the second most interested in mindfulness and meditation, with 1,481 average monthly searches per 100,000 people. Bay Staters searched for mindfulness and meditation topics 59.9% more than the national average.

3. New York

New York is the third most interested state in mindfulness and meditation, with 1,397 average monthly searches per 100,000 residents. New Yorkers were found to make 50.9% more searches for meditation and mindfulness than the national average.

4. California

With 1,395 average monthly searches for mindfulness and meditation topics, California is the fourth most interested state in mindfulness and meditation. California’s searches per 100,000 are 50.6% higher than the national average.

5. Hawaii

Hawaii is the fifth most interested state in mindfulness and meditation. The Aloha State clocks in 1,297 searches per 100,000 residents each month, 40.1% higher than the national average.

6. Illinois

Illinois made an average of 1,112 searches per 100,000 residents for mindfulness and meditation topics each month. This is 20.1% higher than the national average and enough to take Illinois to sixth place.

7. Washington

With an average of 1,102 monthly searches, 19% more than the national average, Washington is the seventh most interested state in mindfulness and meditation topics.

8. Utah

Utah is the eighth most interested state in mindfulness and meditation topics, with 1,002 average monthly searches per 100,000 residents, 8.3% higher than the national average.

9. Oregon

In ninth for the states most interested in mindfulness and meditation is Oregon. The Beaver State made 977 average monthly searches for mindfulness and meditation topics per 100,000 people, which is 5.6% higher than the national average.

10. Vermont

Rounding out the top ten states most interested in mindfulness and meditation is Vermont. Vermonters made an average of 955 monthly searches per 100,000 people for topics relating to mindfulness and meditation, which is 3.1% higher than the national average.

Mississippi was found to be the state least interested in mindfulness and meditation. The Magnolia State made only 294 searches per 100,000 residents, 68.2% below the national average.

Robert Vergin, founder of MindWings, said:“Mindfulness and meditation can provide great benefits to mental health, especially those who suffer from anxiety and depression.

“While similar, people tend to conflate the two practices. Mindfulness involves focusing on what is happening in one’s immediate surroundings and can be used as a way to focus the mind on a specific task.

“Meditation, on the other hand, involves focusing on something such as an object, thought, or activity, with the aim of clear your mind. A person can practice mindfulness without necessarily practicing meditation.

“Both can be used to promote mental clarity, especially if you are normally prone to overthinking things.

“These concepts may sound abstract, but the scientific literature supports the finding that mindfulness and meditation positively impact mental health symptoms. As part of a wider system of support and therapy, they can play a large part in mental health recovery and maintaining good mental health.

“Colorado would not need convincing of this, as the biggest searchers of mindfulness and meditation topics in America. If they are to put that interest into practice, they will be sure to reap the benefits.”