Mindfulness based living. An exploratory study with health care staff

There is a substantial body of research that highlights the causes and negative implications that prolonged exposure to stress may have for health care staff (HCS). In an attempt to address this, this exploratory study examines the effects of the Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) on a mixed group of HCS when delivered during the working day. A total of 31 HCS participated in this pilot study. Self-reported perceived stress, self-compassion and mindfulness were measured at the beginning and end of the 8-week course and pre and postchange scores showed that significant improvements were obtained across all three measures. Qualitative data was also collected from participants using pre and post-course forms. A thematic analysis of this data uncovered a variety of benefits for the participants, including becoming more selfaware, improvements in sleep, relaxation and communication with others. Participants also reported an improved ability to manage and respond to difficult or challenging situations and the ability to manage and prioritise their own health and well-being. The challenges associated with participation in the MBLC were finding the time to practice, coping with work and family related pressures, and dealing with difficult emotions that arose during practice. The results of this study suggest that participation in an 8-week MBLC is associated with significant benefits for HCS in relation to their health and well-being. This suggests a need for continued research in this area to help staff manage stress levels and to improve staff well-being. Ultimately this is likely to impact upon staff absence levels and patient care.