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ABSTRACT: Autonomic nervous functioning is a crucial tolerance factor. Baseline data on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, various life styles, and health behaviors with formulations of autonomic adaptability functions are important. The aims of this study were: 1) to study HRV measurements, 2) to study various physical and mental states involved, and 3) to assess HRV predictability. This study was done in July 2010. A total of 317 undergraduate students were enrolled. Questionnaires and HRV machine measurements were used. This descriptive study compared genders by ages, averaged grades*, hobbies*, health status*, illnesses*, health checkup, exercise*, family relationship, meditation experience, substance use history*, and depressive scale* (p<0.05*). SDNN**, TP, MHR**, PSI**, VLF, LF**, HF, LF norm, HF norm, and LF/HF differed between genders (p<0.05**). We found that HRV differed between groups (p<0.05). Balance factor (parasympathetic), coping factor (overall ANS), and stress factor (sympathetic) were categorized. Exercise was beneficial and stress was harmful for each factor. Listening to music improved balance and reduced stress. Meditation improved balance. We found equivocal opposite results in subjects with moderate to severe depression.

Keywords: Autonomic Pathways, Depression, Exercise, Meditation, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System