The Role of Digital Wellness Solutions in Reducing Academic Stress: Evidence from College Students

Academic stress is a critical issue affecting students’ mental health, sleep quality, and academic performance, particularly in higher education contexts. This study investigates the role of digital wellness solutionssuch as mindfulness applications, guided meditation tools, and AI-based time management platformsin reducing academic stress among undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 100 students through a structured questionnaire and analysed using the KruskalWallis H Test and MannWhitney U Test. Results reveal a statistically significant difference in stress levels between UG and PG students, with UG students reporting higher stress across all measured indicators, especially in sleep disturbances, feeling overwhelmed, and time management difficulties. However, the post-intervention analysis showed no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the two groups, indicating that the digital wellness program’s effectiveness did not vary by academic level. The findings suggest that while digital wellness tools hold potential as accessible and scalable interventions, their impact may require enhanced engagement strategies, integration with in-person support, and tailoring to specific student needs for greater effectiveness.