A conference room used for seminars and lectures has been transformed into an oasis from stress where staff can relieve the tensions inherent with many healthcare jobs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mather Hospital’s Tranquility Center offers classes “intended to empower the staff with skills to improve resilience and enhance self-care which in turn will help then better manage their own stress during this trying time,” said Marie O’Brien, MSN, ANP-C, coordinator of the hospital’s Integrative Pain Management Program, who oversees the Center’s activities. “Based on feedback we received from surveys, people felt like they were cared for and it was comforting to be close to their patients and where they work and still be able to get away.”
Located in Conference Room A, the Tranquility Center is a collaborative effort of Integrative Pain Management’s patient services, Behavioral Health and Human Resources.
“We realized that the staff might be unfamiliar with the types of interventions we were offering to the patients – aromatherapy, aromatherapy massage, clinical hypnosis, meditation, guided imagery, Reiki and acupuncture. We also realized that the staff is under a great deal of pressure even prior to the pandemic and could benefit from the same programs. Learning about and experiencing holistic self-care interventions can increase awareness and the clinician’s ability to promote wellness to their patients from a personal experience,” Ms. O’Brien said.
“Employees from all departments can come down and just get a respite from all the stress going on up on the floors at that time,” she noted.
Classes offered include aromatherapy, self-Reiki – an adaption of Reiki due to social distancing concerns – acupuncture using ear magnets, hypnosis, meditation and yoga, which is offered two-three times a week. Staff can also speak with the hospital chaplain and with Behavioral Health staff, or just relax in reclining chairs in an atmosphere with aromatherapy and meditative music.
The latest offering is a meditation labyrinth. “It’s a solitary walking meditation which allows people to be very contemplative” she said. “It’s very helpful for problem-solving, stress reduction, gratitude; it’s very calming.”
Northwell has said it would like the Tranquility Center to continue as part of its employee well-being program. “The concern is that the impact of the pandemic and social unrest will take a toll on the physical and mental health of everyone in the healthcare field. Anticipatory anxiety, just worrying about the unknown with the thought that there could be another wave of COVID, is a concern for the leadership” Ms. O’Brien said. “But even if there’s not another wave there will always be challenges in health care.” The program is seeking a permanent home that will allow the team to continue its mission to promote health, wellness and self-care to Mather employees, patients and community members through education and wellness programs.