Yoga for Self-Care and Burnout Prevention Among Nurses

Abstract

The promotion of self-care and the prevention of burnout among nurses is a public health priority. Evidence supports the efficacy of yoga to improve physical and mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined the influence of yoga on nurse-specific outcomes. The purpose of this pilot-level randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of yoga to improve self-care and reduce burnout among nurses. Compared with controls (n = 20), yoga participants (n = 20) reported significantly higher self-care as well as less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization upon completion of an 8-week yoga intervention. Although the control group demonstrated no change throughout the course of the study, the yoga group showed a significant improvement in scores from pre- to post-intervention for self-care (p < .001), mindfulness (p = .028), emotional exhaustion (p = .008), and depersonalization (p = .007) outcomes. Implications for practice are discussed.

Nurses and Health‐Promoting Behaviors: Knowledge May Not Translate Into Self‐Care

“…55,56 Both mindfulness-based stress reduction interventions and weekly yoga classes can be helpful in improving self-care and reducing burnout in nurses. 56,57 …”

“…Nurse leaders may want to consider workplace health programs that are holistic in nature; these programs are effective in reducing stress and burnout and appear to hold particular appeal for nurses. 55,56 Both mindfulness-based stress-reduction interventions and weekly yoga classes can be helpful in improving self-care and reducing burnout in nurses. 56,57 Health-promoting activities that can be incorporated into the workplace are essential and should be activities that staff members can perform during the workday or immediately before or after their shifts.…”

“…55,56 Both mindfulness-based stress-reduction interventions and weekly yoga classes can be helpful in improving self-care and reducing burnout in nurses. 56,57 Health-promoting activities that can be incorporated into the workplace are essential and should be activities that staff members can perform during the workday or immediately before or after their shifts. The American Nurses Association created an informational web site called Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation that provides comprehensive health and safety information specifically for nurses, 58 along with a health risk appraisal.…”

Referencing the body for mood state regulation: an examination of stress management using Dohsa-hou as a primary prevention program for nurses

“…They also suggested that relaxation interventions appeared more often within health care settings than other interventions because of their relative simplicity. Alexander et al 6) conducted a yoga-based intervention program for 40 nurses, and nurses who practiced yoga demonstrated a significant decrease in burnout after 8 weeks. Considering these results and the fact that burnout is characterized by extreme physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion, it is possible that physical approaches that can incorporate both physical and emotional aspects might be effective for nurses.…”

The nurse entrepreneur: empowerment needs, challenges, and self-care practices

“…Self-care strategies, including relaxation, meditation, accessing social support, exercise, sensory experiences, such as listening to music, and cognitive strategies, such as active self-acceptance and positive self-talk, can prevent or decrease the symptoms of burnout. [33][34][35][36] Stress and self-employment Stress and burnout can also accompany self-employment, and these experiences may be related to factors such as balancing family and business demands, lack of social support, 37 and financial uncertainty. 38 Some research has suggested that control over one's work is a mediator in the stress/self-employment relationship.…”