Mindfulness Practices Help Even the Busiest Caregivers to De-Stress

Across ECS partner hospitals, chaplains are helping caregivers find calm—and connection—through moments of presence.

Taking a quick break for self-care or stress relief while on shift may seem unrealistic to many caregivers. However, not only is it possible, research finds it is a healthy way to help stay grounded during a stressful day.

At Mountain View Hospital, chaplain-led mindfulness practices are proving for some to be a powerful strategy for reducing stress and improving clinical focus.

Even a short pause can help someone come back to themselves—patients and staff alike, says Chaplain Robert Magarrell. “I’ve had nurses tell me that [the time we spent] together didn’t just help them get through their shift—they take it home, too.”

“The breathing exercises induced a peace and calm to my mind and body. In that state, I was able to experience gratitude for myself and my coworkers.” -RN Participant

Mindfulness doesn’t require 15-minute breaks from their work. Guiding a nurse through a breathing exercise may take only a couple minutes. It then becomes something they can repeat on their own and almost anywhere.

ECS chaplains are trained to offer calm in motion. Their mindfulness practices aren’t scripted—they are responsive, personal, and scalable. It may be as simple as remembering to take a moment to breathe in through the nose and and out through the mouth with intention, to enhance self-awareness and bring someone back to the present.

Research shows these small, intentional practices are part of a broader shift in healthcare—one that increasingly recognizes spiritual care as a vital part of clinical care. “ECS Chaplains are supporting the health and wellness needs of clinical staff by cultivating a culture of Mindfulness in our approach to spiritual care,” said Karen Peña, ECS executive director. “We want to help our interdisciplinary team partners to find something that relaxes them in the moment–an activity that feels nurturing to them and that they can find value in.”

Clinical Outcomes, Emotional Benefits

The clinical benefits are increasingly clear. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), mindfulness helps mitigate the effects of constant interruptions and distractions—a leading contributor to patient safety incidents. The practice improves attention, memory, and emotional regulation, helping clinicians stay grounded in high-pressure environments.

That kind of calm, centered presence is exactly what staff experience when working alongside ECS chaplains like Robert.

“He is an asset that I am thankful to have here,” wrote Nick Ostler, House Supervisor at Mountain View. “There have been a bunch of codes when I have called him, and he comes right in to speak with family and staff. We are lucky to have him here. He is really good at what he does.”

Prioritizing Wellness

ECS chaplains understand that the emotional toll on caregivers is real—and it’s growing. Nurses and hospital staff often carry stress silently, navigating long shifts and difficult outcomes while staying strong for everyone else.

That emotional weight is something ECS acknowledges not just in daily care, but also through intentional moments like the annual Blessing of the Hands events held in May.

“This blessing creates a sense of peace and harmony,” shared Forrest Cuch, ECS Interfaith Leader and Member of the Ute Indian Tribe. “It helps lift some of the weight nurses carry and makes room for a little light in places that can be heavy with suffering.”

While the Blessing of the Hands is a once-a-year tradition, it reflects the ongoing work of ECS chaplains—bringing light, presence, and peace into the daily reality of caregiving.

ECS chaplains don’t offer fixes—they offer presence. And sometimes, that’s what changes everything.

A Model for Hospital Culture

What ECS is practicing across its partner hospitals isn’t just compassionate—it’s strategic. “Research supports Mindfulness and spiritual care as preventative, cost-effective, and human-centered approaches,” said Peña. “ECS is focused on improving mental health outcomes without requiring major infrastructure changes.”