Mindfulness-based training for healthcare professionals in an acute care setting.

The mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) consists of four daily activities to foster mindful awareness, including abdominal breathing, speaking from the stomach, thinking from the spine, and pausing before acting. The intervention will consist of one x one-hour mindfulness training session each week for two weeks. The mode of administration will be provided through group or one-to-one sessions (depending on participants' availability and preference) Monitoring intervention adherence will be captured on participant questionnaires during the data collection process. Daily mindfulness activities will be practiced for approximately 5 minutes at the start of each day over a period of 3 weeks. Speaking from the Stomach One way of maintaining a low tension level is by speaking from the stomach. Participants will be introduced to a vocal relaxation practice, encouraging speech from the diaphragm and abdomen to promote relaxation and self-awareness. The aim is to foster awareness of the connection between cognitive focus, bodily tension, and vocalisation, supporting greater self-regulation and well-being. Thinking from the spine This process involves guiding participants through three distinct modes of cognitive awareness, each correlated with physical tension. First, individuals focus on their forehead, producing noticeable tension in the scalp and brow, commonly linked with anxiety or stress. Second, attention shifts to the back of the head, resulting in a more relaxed and diffuse awareness. Third, awareness extends along the spine, encouraging whole-body relaxation, minimal tension, and a state of self-awareness. Throughout the process, participants are guided to observe and compare bodily sensations and tension levels associated with each mode of thinking. The training will be delivered face-to-face; participants will also receive a handout outlining the practices to take home. Daily mindfulness activities will commence after the first training session.