This dataset provides cross-sectional, quantitative data from 330 female participants aged 18–35 years with respect to demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, experience with mindfulness, meditation, or contemplative prayer); self-reported trait mindfulness, weight and shape concerns, and difficulties in emotion regulation; and self-reported state body dissatisfaction (weight dissatisfaction, shape dissatisfaction, appearance dissatisfaction) and negative affect at 3 timepoints (baseline, post-media exposure, and final [after engaging in a strategy focused on decentering, non-judgement, or rest]). It also includes qualitative data files that specify participants' self-reported thoughts and behaviour during the strategy, how participants responded to any negative thoughts and feelings, how participants might use the strategy in everyday life, and any further comments about taking part in the study. One qualitative file contains the raw data only, and the other includes our codes and rationale for rating each participant with respect to their degree of adherence to the strategy instructions.