Practicing Mindfulness: A Step-by-Step GuideÂ
To practice mindfulness, catch your thoughts and become aware of them. Standing at the pyxis, place your finger on the print reader. Take a deep breath, focusing on how the air feels filling your lungs. Notice the red light scanning your finger, the names popping up on the screen as you scroll for your patient’s name. Feel your finger touching the screen, hear the sound of the drawer popping open, and the sensation of closing it. If you’re behind a closed door, notice the quietness. This practice, once started, becomes something you won’t want to stop.
As nurses, we’re always giving and expending a lot of energy. Mindfulness helps save and restore this energy. Â Â Â
Techniques for Mindfulness in Nursing Â
Deep Breathing: When stressed, nervous, or under pressure, acknowledge your feelings and start deep breathing. I find the 4-7-8 technique effective, but many others exist to explore. Â Â Â
Voice Mirroring with Patients: Involves repeating what the patient says quietly in your head. It helps you genuinely listen, ensuring your thoughts don’t wander to the next task
Five Senses Check-in (Post-Work): Notice what you hear, feel, smell, see, and taste. However, I recommend saving this for after work due to the nature of the hospital’s smells and sounds.
Slowing Down: Between critical care moments, take a breather. Notice sensations in your body and address them accordingly. If your feet ache, elevate them. If your shoulders and neck feel tight, try some sitting yoga. Â Â Â
Nature and Tea Breaks: If you get a break, stretch outside. If breaks are rare, it’s essential to speak up. Are you enjoying a cup of tea? Pay attention to the cup’s warmth, the tea’s smell and flavor, and how the steam rises.
![Practicing Mindfulness](https://nursingcecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Practicing-Mindfulness-3.png)