MindZEN Newsletter #2

Pilot Workshops Completed - First Results Are In

In November 2025, MindZen successfully delivered 2-day pilot workshops in Sweden (Stockholm, 24-25 Nov) and Lithuania (Vilnius, 25-26 Nov).

Young participants explored how mindfulness, meditation, and VR experiences can support emotional well-being through yoga, breathwork, creative reflection, and immersive VR sessions.

Focus groups and short evaluations were carried out at the end of each workshop.

Before the workshops

Across both countries, participants most often described mindfulness as calmness, balance, and inner stability.

Stress was usually managed through everyday activities such as listening to music, movement (e.g. dancing), or simply “not dealing with it.”

Most participants had tried guided meditation before, mainly through YouTube, but practiced irregularly.

• Only a few had previous experience with VR, usually from a long time ago, and some remembered feeling slightly dizzy.

After the workshops

Results from both Sweden and Lithuania show clear positive changes:

• Increased confidence in understanding mindfulness

• Better awareness of practical tools to reduce stress and stay calm

• Stronger understanding of how meditation can support creative thinking and problem-solving

• Higher confidence using VR and digital tools for relaxation

• A stronger belief that mindfulness can help in daily life (school, work, relationships)

Overall, the pilot workshops met and exceeded the expected outcomes, with most participants reporting increased mindfulness and improved cognitive awareness. What participants valued most

In both countries, participants highlighted:

• Yoga and breathwork as the most valuable and relaxing parts of the training

• The calm, safe, and supportive atmosphere

• The opportunity to slow down, focus, and be present

VR meditation – a new experience

Participants described VR meditation as immersive and engaging, helping them focus by reducing outside distractions.

At the same time, similar reflections appeared in both groups:

• VR can cause motion sickness for some users

• The experience may feel new and exciting at first, but not everyone would use it long-term

• VR works best as a complement to traditional mindfulness practices, not a replacement

Most participants said they would use VR meditation, if available.

What comes next????

The pilot workshops provided valuable insights into how traditional mindfulness practices and innovative VR tools can be combined to support young people’s emotional well-being.

👉 Stay tuned for the full project results and comparative findings coming in Spring 2026.