Scott,
I enjoyed your Hinds plenary session at smaccDUB, as well as this post re mindfulness. Though I have not previously used the Muse headband, I have found this product by HeartMath to be useful: http://www.heartmath.com/innerbalance/

Tessa Damm
Intensivist
Milwaukee, WI

Scott,
Interesting post. I like these nonclinical posts, always learn something that I can try to make my days a little more efficient. For those interested in the android Headspace app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android

Andrew Smith
ICU Clinical Pharmacist
NY

glad to hear you brining this topic up – can’t wait for the talk to be posted.
i first began my journey with vipassana through one of these free (donation at end), 10 day residential courses which I can highly recommend, https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index

i must say that in the last few years, with less time on my hands, i find metta or loving kindness mediation fits me better somehow, though can’t explain why. fit is important i think.

Scott,

Very helpful Wee, a great addition to your talk (podcast) at smaccDUB – looking forward to it being posted.

I started with Headband about a month ago, and think it’s quite helpful. Some questions:

Do you find there is a best time of day for meditation? First thing in the morning? Mid-day? Whenever time allows? Caffeinated, or before that first cup of coffee?

Some reviewers of Muse on Amazon have noted that Internet and Bluetooth connections tend to be unstable. Have you found that this is a problem?

Thanks for this topic. Not to much discussion in emergency medicine about stress reduction, wellness in life and at work.

But not sure about the Muse Headband. I think that Mindfulness is more about being aware of our thoughts and feeling and not primarily to get some kind of effect (even if you got it afterward…). I feel that the Muse can be more distracting than beneficial. Look like a biofeedback instrument. But maybe a good way to start it.

Thanks.

Reckon this is highly relevant stuff and great to see it being discussed in a crit care forum. Can’t overstate the benefit this practice gives to work performance and life in general. Personally am a samatha mediation practitioner, which is concentration-based and often used as a leg-up to help boost vipassana practice (insight-based). Tricky to bring this stuff up in an ED crowd sometimes as reactions can really vary. Mostly good-natured accusations involving unicorns, rainbows and crystal therapy (great for trauma, yeah?) but sometimes genuine, open-minded interest prevails. Like your comment on the pod-cast about the skill-set actually being genuine… Read more »

Thank you for this Wee! I have encouraged some patients to try meditation, particularly those with anxiety or insomnia, although I believe it helps w/chronic pain as well. Is there any way within the confines of an ER visit to help patients start this process successfully, so that they actually have improved outcomes?