b'|SELF-CARE Bensons studies showed that repeating awith a concentration in Advanced Holistic Nursing from Florida Atlantic University in mantram over a 20-minute period resulted in a2014. She received certification in Advanced lowering of heart rate, blood pressure, breathingHolistic Nursing in 2015. Her nursing expe-rience includes travel nursing,nephrology, rate, and oxygen consumption; all factorspost-surgical, step-down and direct obser-vation, home hospice, acute care behavioral associated with a calmer state of mind. health and nursing education. She currently works as a care coordinator for a local VA and a psychophysiological state characterized bychooses the word and the program of repeti- serves on a complimentary and integrative parasympathetic dominance involving mul- tion was introduced to the West by Sri Eknathhealth cyberseminar accreditation planning tiple visceral and somatic systems. SimplyEaswaran (Easwaran, 2008).board. Ms. Shanhai also serves as an adjunct stated, this is the opposite of the fight orRepeating a mantram is an immediateclinical instructor at the University of Central flight response and the absence of physical,reminder to be here now. Repeat a mantramFlorida for the basic and accelerated BSN pro-mental, and emotional tension (Benson, 1996). to refocus yourself before doing a procedure,grams and as a mentor for the alumni program. Dr. Herbert Benson, a professor of medicine atgiving medications or while washing yourShe is completing a Therapeutic Touch mentor-Harvard University and President and Founderhands. At work, repeat a mantram just a fewship to become a Qualified Therapeutic Touch of Mind/Body Institute in Massachusetts,times before meeting your next patient. WhenPractitioner through the Therapeutic Touch demonstrated that repeating a mantram elicitswalking from meeting to meeting, repeat aInternational Association and is a member of a measurable calming effect, which he popu- mantram to give your mind a mini-break fromSigma Theta Tau. She became a Certified Reiki larized as the relaxation response. He arguedthe days hassles. Repeat it when you noticeMaster in 2008 and is passionate about self-care that this response acted as a balancing counter- that you are feeling anxious or worried aboutand the power of transformation, energy healing part to the fight-flight response that stress cre- things that are completely out of your control.and meditation. Most recently, Ms. Shanhai ates, which can result in organ damage when itWhen ruminating on something unnecessaryhas embraced the opportunity to provide becomes chronic (Benson, 1996).or that you simply cannot deal with right nowenergy-based modalities to hospice patients Bensons studies showed that repeating arepeat a mantram. Use mantram repetition tothrough the VITAS volunteer program. In her mantram over a 20-minute period resultedcalm yourself before presenting sad or disturb- free time, she enjoys spending time with fam-in a lowering of heart rate, blood pressure,ing news to a patient or family.ily, friends and her dog, traveling, reading, breathing rate, and oxygen consumption; all(Various websites can provide further infor- cooking, attending festivals, concerts, retreats factors associated with a calmer state of mind.mation on mantram repetition. The URLsand yoga.In this state, brain waves shift to the moreappear at the end of this article.)relaxed alpha rhythm, blood flow to the mus- It is easy to learn, but does require prac- REFERENCEScles decreases, and blood is sent to the braintice and commitment. Once implemented, it Benson, H. (1996). Timeless healing. New and skin, producing a feeling of rested mentalwill be available to you instantly, making it anYork, NY: Scriber.alertness (Bormann 2017). effective tool to be used in your daily nursing Bormann, J. E., Walter, K. H., Leary, S., & In 2011, Jill Bormann, a clinical professorpractice and everyday life. Glaser, D. (2017). An internet-delivered man-at the Hahn School of Nursing and an asso- While mindfulness exercises have been prac- tram repetition program for spiritual well-be-ciate nurse executive for research at the VAticed since ancient times, science and researching and mindfulness for health care workers. San Diego Healthcare System, began conduct- are now providing evidence to support whatSpirituality in Clinical Practice, 4(1), 64-73.ing research on the health outcomes of themany people have already known and expe-Dossey, B.M., & Keegan, L. (2013).Holistic Mantram Repetition Program in a variety ofrienced. The benefits of a mindfulness prac- Nursing, A Handbook for Practice. groups. She recognized that many nurses havetice are vast, especially for our modern, hectic,Burlington, MA:Jones & Bartlett Learning.asked, When was the last time I really listenedover-scheduled, multitasked, technology-driven Easwaran, E. (2008). The mantram hand-to someone with undivided and full atten- lives. We can now tap into this portable tool thatbook: A practical guide to choosing your tion? Was I present in that moment, withoutnot only benefits ourselves, but those around us. mantram and calming your mind (5th ed.). thoughts of what I needed to do next? CouldWhole person healing and health promo- Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press.I listen without trying to finish the other per- tion supports not only the future health of theTry the Mantram Repetition strategy for sons sentences? (Bormann, 2017). Mantramnursing profession, but that of ourselves, ouryourself:repetition can be a helpful tool to create morepatients, communities and the world. In what https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coe/mindfulness in our lives and improve the qual- ways will you begin taking care of yourself?n cesamh/docs/Mantram_Repetition_for_ity of our work. Employees.pdfA mantram is a word or phrase that holdsLisette Shanhai, MSN, RN, AHN-BC became a https://www.jillbormann.com/meaning and power for the person whoregistered nurse in 2004 and received her MSN https://www.bmcm.org/www.elitecme.com |2019| SELF CARE 7'