STUDENT WELLNESS

The mission of this page is to provide an ever-growing resource of wellness habits for students, created by students. Awareness of mental and physical health is critical throughout the journey of a SRNA. I created this tab to promote wellness and create methods to reduce stress by giving students the tools to flourish academically, physically, and emotionally.


ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!

You don’t need to be in a yoga studio or use fancy equipment to practice meditation and mindfulness. Both can be achieved anytime, anywhere! Below are some helpful links to free guided meditation videos to assist in your relaxation journey.

ABOUT MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS

The roots of mindfulness date back to the fifth century B.C. in northeast India. Buddha offered his teaching as a body of principles and practices that give strength to those in search of happiness and spiritual freedom.1 Buddha's lesson focused on a system of training that leads to perceptual understanding and overcoming suffering.1 The foundation of Buddhist meditation is the discipline of mindfulness; the fourth of the Four Noble Truths focusing on the origin of suffering and the path leading to ending pain.1

Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that helps bring one’s thoughts into the present, focusing on the sensations experienced at that moment instead of ruminating on past events or focusing on the future.2

Mindfulness is a learned behavior, and it takes practice and repetition to perfect. Some characteristics of mindfulness include:

      • Attention to awareness of in-the-moment experiences
      • Open, non-judgmental acceptance of one’s thoughts, feelings, and sensations
      • Flexibility
      • Being receptive to new data
      • Multiple perspectives
      • Process over outcome



“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”

-Buddha


THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

Mindfulness-based meditation trains the mind to continually return to a focused point of concentration, thoughts, and emotions in a natural state of stillness, ease, and sensory clarity.3 Practicing mindfulness can be beneficial to SRNAs because it promotes flexibility, acceptance, and present-awareness,4 improving effectiveness in the OR, classroom, and their personal lives.


Summary of the Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation:

      • Reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression
      • Improved attentiveness and focus
      • Associated with a pleasant demeanor
      • Life satisfaction
      • Improved self-esteem and self-acceptance
      • Optimism
      • Self-actualization
      • Emotion regulation
      • Better personal and professional relationships
      • Increased compassion and altruism
      • Enhanced communication quality
      • Increased empathy and acceptance of others

References

1. Bodhi B. What does mindfulness really mean? A canonical perspective. Contemporary Buddhism. 2011;12(1):19-39. 2. Wong C. Mindfulness Meditation - How Do I Do It? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/mindfulness-meditation-88369. Published on October 18, 2019. Accessed November 7, 2019.3. Vago DR, Zeidan F. The brain on silent: mind wandering, mindful awareness, and states of mental tranquility. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):96–113. 4. Farber N. Mindfulness in Anesthesia: A Safety and Satisfaction Initiative. Curr Rev Nurs Anesth. 2015;38(9):111-119.5. [photo1] Cherry K. How Meditation Impacts Your Mind and Body. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927. Published May 29, 2019. Accessed December 6, 2019.6. [photo2] https://wallpaperaccess.com/zen-bamboo

FREE RESOURCES

Apps to Try

  1. Calm: soothing sounds, environmental images, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and guided meditation
  2. Headspace: guided meditation
  3. Omvana: guided meditation
  4. Relax Melodies: make-your-own soothing melody
  5. Chill: daily quote focusing on mindfulness
  6. Breethe, Meditation & Sleep: guided meditation, sleep tracks, hypnotherapy sessions, masterclasses, music, and nature sounds playlists

Open up your camera and scan the QR codes below for mindfulness skills to practice in the OR and calming breathing techniques.

Mindfulness in the OR

Breathing Techniques