“Hooping” for Mindful Movement Meditation (by guest blogger Samantha Ault)

The opposite of play is not work, it’s depression. – Dr. Stuart Brown

When most people think of meditation the first thing that comes to mind is sitting still in a quiet room with perhaps some tranquil music/noise in the back ground and becoming completely silent. Maybe even sitting with our legs criss-cross-applesauce. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

Using hula hoop dancing can be a fun way to practice body play and mindful movement meditation – especially for those of us who find it difficult to sit still.

Many body play/dances can be utilized for movement mediation but hula hooping can result in the feeling of letting go. The hoop circle can create a feeling of a boundary which can act as a “safe space” for self-expression.

Engaging in body play activities such as hula hooping can influence feelings of joy, peace, and may even prevent or decrease burnout and/or compassion fatigue among nurses.

Play simply seeks out joy for the sake of joy. – CAROLINE SANCHEZ

 Hoop Dancing to Prevent and Decrease Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

It’s no secret that nurses are experiencing an alarming rate of burnout and compassion fatigue, even leading to nurses leaving the healthcare field. We must start investing in our own self-care and care of our colleagues to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Why not start with hooping!?

Sánchez, C., et al. (2014). Hoop dancing to prevent and decrease burnout and compassion fatigue. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 40(4).  

GUEST BLOGGER: Samantha Ault is a a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner student at The Ohio State University. She graduates this May. Currently, she is a RN at Harding.