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Mindfulness can be described as being physically, mentally, and emotionally aware. Aware of your own presence, the presence of those things and people around you, and what you’re feeling in the current moment. And, an acceptance of that.

With so many daily distractions that disrupt our presence, mindfulness can be a challenging state to achieve. However, if we make the time and spend 2-3 minutes in our daily practice on being focused on the moment at hand, it’s amazing what results we may be able to achieve.

So, in your quest for mindfulness, focus your attention on the steps below.

5 STEPS THAT CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE MINDFULNESS

1. Slow Down: If you’re in rush-rush mode, I’ve found that slowing down is easier than the complete stop. Whether you about to help your nursing colleague turn a patient, page a Provider about orders you found to be confusing on the chart, or you’re answering your patient’s faulty call-bell for the 100th time. Wherever you are, whatever you may be doing… take a deep breath in and then exhale. You may not have stopped all of your actions or thoughts in that moment, but simply making a purposeful effort to breathe deeply will naturally will slow you down.

2. Stop: Then, when you can, find a quiet spot, even if just for 2 minutes. (We’ve all found those secret places at work where we can escape to, right?). Once you’ve found that place, simply stop all action, silence your thoughts on what you were doing, what needs to be done and the things that never got done.

3. Acknowledge: Once you’ve stopped, take inventory of your physical presence, your thoughts, your feelings, your environment, and acknowledge what is in front of you at the current moment. Again, don’t focus on the tasks or the patients that are waiting for you. Be very aware of your surroundings. Acknowledge the temperature of the room, the hum in the air, your mood at the moment, the clothing against your skin.

4. Process: Now, how do you feel about what you hear, see, feel, touch or even taste. What appreciation can you give for what you sense?

5. Accept: After processing the moment, make a point to accept that which is. Don’t attempt to change your thoughts, feelings, or being. Simply accept the clarity you’ve received in your attention to mindfulness. And then, take another deep breath and move forward with your day.

Have you engaged in mindfulness in your nursing practice or when experiencing stress? Do you have any challenges when seeking presence? Any wins? Please let us know in the comments below. 

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