Decreased Stress Levels in Nurses: A Benefit of Quiet Time

Abstract

Background The benefits of quiet time, a therapeutic method of improving the health care environment, have been evaluated in patients, but only a few studies have examined the effects of quiet time on intensive care nurses. Objective To evaluate the effects of implementing quiet time in a medical-surgical intensive care unit on levels of light, noise, and nurses’ stress. Methods Quiet time consisted of turning down the unit lights for a designated time. Levels of light, noise, and nurses’ stress were measured. Nurses’ stress levels were measured by using a 100-point visual analog scale; unit noise, by using a digital sound level meter (model 407736, Extech Instruments); and unit light, by using an illumination light meter (model 615, Huygen Corporation). Measurements were obtained 30 minutes before and 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours after implementation of quiet time. Results Analysis of variance and comparisons of means indicated that both light levels and nurses’ stress levels were significantly decreased after quiet time (both P < .001). Noise levels were also decreased after quiet time, but the decrease was not significant (P = .08). Conclusions Use of quiet time resulted in decreased light levels and decreased stress levels among nurses. Quiet time is an easily performed energy-saving intervention to promote a healthy work environment.

The effects of noise levels on nurses in intensive care units

“…In our study, although no statistically significant difference was found between the nurses' SCL‐90 psychological symptoms and general psychopathology levels, it was observed that the total average scores of obsessive–compulsive (2·34 ± 0·71), interpersonal sensitivity (2·01 ± 0·59), depression (2·13 ± 0·64), anxiety (1·89 ± 0·69), hostility (2·04 ± 0·90), paranoid ideations (2·19 ± 0·68), psychotic symptoms (1·64 ± 0·58) and additional item (2·01 ± 0·80) subscales of the SCL‐90 increased as the noise levels increased. In the literature, it is stated that noise causes irritation, anger and communication problems in employees (Ryherd et al, ; Riemer et al, ), and the nurses working in ICUs are worried that the noise levels would affect their health (Riemer et al, ; Tao et al, ; Vasconcelos et al, ).…”

Mindfulness: Assessing the Feasibility of a Pilot Intervention to Reduce Stress and Burnout

“…For example, several of the studies incorporated various MBSR training programs for participants; components of the programs included mindful meditation, guided mindfulness activities, deep breathing exercises, writing prompts, and practicing gratitude (Brady et al, 2012;Fortney, Luchterhand, Zakletskaia, Zgierska, & Rakel, 2013;Foureur et al, 2013;Gauthier et al, 2015;Horner et al, 2014;Lan, Rahmat, Subramanian, & Kar, 2014;Mealer et al, 2014). Additional inspiration for the Mindful Moment was gleaned from studies by Riemer, Mates, Ryan, and Schleder (2015) and Markwell et al (2016), in which quiet space and dim lighting as well as provision of various holistic modalities, water, and snacks were provided to participants in order to reduce stress. For the Mindful Moment, menu options included a guided mindfulness audio CD (9-to 20-minute sessions), a soothing sounds machine with a brief mindful breathing technique instructional, a weekly mindfulness prompt, a collective/anonymous journal in which to write mindful thoughts in relation to the prompts, and a display of a written expression of gratitude from unit leadership indicating appreciation for the hard work staff do.…”

Strengthening workplace well‐being: perceptions of intensive care nurses

“…Work well‐being interventions in nursing are largely focused on recovery from ill‐being, rather than preventing ill‐being or promoting well‐being, for example, quiet time to reduce stress levels (Riemer et al, ), yoga for stress and anxiety management (Bernstein et al, ) and mindfulness for stress management (Pipe et al, ). An exception is the investigation by Hee Kim et al .…”