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

[…] and value the impact of others on your own life.  You can have a taster of Scott’s talk here. The final presentation of the plenary was a powerful and raw reflection on the life and work of […]

[…] of the EM Crit blog, similarly pushed the boundaries of a traditional talk by discussing Vipassana meditation and the role of this practice in his life. He opened minds and hearts by delivering a plenary […]

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 Old School knowledge.

What’s great today is the growing resources available with a no-nonsense, scientific and utterly pragmatic take on meditation and it’s benefits. Can highly recommend books: ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book’ by Daniel Ingram (also happens to be an ED Doc) and ‘The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science’ by John Yates.

Andrew Baxter
ED NUM
NSW, Australia

[…] been feeling a little uneasy about Scott Weingart’s opening talk from SMACC. It was an extraordinary talk, recorded live on stage for the EMCRIT podcast and it took quite a […]

[…] for your mind” and will be out in a month or two but in the interim he has put out an EmCrit Wee to tide you […]

[…] “Sim Like You Gym”:  Do a “cardio” class on Monday, kettle bells for your brain on Wednesday (maybe do that one everyday!) and “pulmonary” class on […]

[…] exercises to help focus, has been expounded in solo preparation for a critical event (EMCrit on The Value of Meditation in Critical Care). However, there is very likely value in preparing your team in the few minutes prior to the […]

[…] It’s also available on emcrit here. […]

[…] within just a few consecutive days. Another great resources is Dr. Scott Weingart’s talk on Mindfulness & Meditation for medical providers, via the EMCrit […]

[…] been feeling a little uneasy about Scott Weingart’s opening talk from SMACC. It was an extraordinary talk, recorded live on stage for the EMCRIT podcast and it took quite a […]