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At the beginning of the pandemic, when so much was uncertain, Kathryn Fritze, RN, BSN, a holistic and integrative nurse for the Barbara L. Posner Wellness & Support Center at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center Cancer Institute, saw the toll it was taking on people in the health care community.

“Uncertainty, stress, and worry was at a peak, with everyone concerned about how COVID-19 would affect their work and families and home lives. Directives were changing, seemingly hourly,” recalls Fritze. “It was clear that we needed a place for our staff to feel safe, grounded, and centered in the middle of this crisis.”

The Center’s Foundation team came together with the Posner Wellness & Support Center team to brainstorm how they could create a restorative space to make employees feel better. Fritze says that within three days, the Zen Den was born.

“We transformed a community health classroom—not in use because of pandemic safety restrictions—to a sanctuary,” says Fritze. “With the financial support of our wonderful Foundation and community donors, we rented room dividers and green plants, purchased mp3 players, wireless headphones, and Himalayan salt lamps. We also included a CD player, essential oil diffusers, antigravity lounge chairs, and a massage table, borrowed from our Posner Wellness & Support Center.”

Fritze describes the room: “It was partitioned into four separate private spaces with lovely wooden screen dividers. Three stations—or individual relaxation nooks—were set up, each with its own relaxation chair, salt lamp, mp3 player, and headphones. The music players were preloaded with six differently themed 15-minute guided visualizations, narrated by male or female voices, per the guest’s choice. Between uses, for the health and safety of our staff members, all of the equipment was thoroughly sanitized.”

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The last section of the room was a designated Healing Therapy space. On a massage table, health care workers at the Center could get a 15-minute personal Healing Touch session. “This is a powerful yet subtle bio-field therapy to support the body/mind/spirit in achieving a relaxed state of being. To enhance the experience, we combined aromatherapy with the Healing Touch sessions,” explains Fritze. “All employees were able to schedule these free sessions in advance using a dedicated online program accessible to all staff via the intranet, website, and mobile phone.”

The Zen Den, says Fritze, “was purposefully designed to be a respite, an oasis, in the eye of the storm. The overarching service we provided was TLC, an opportunity for caregivers to be cared for in a deep and meaningful way. We provided the opportunity, the time and the space for team members to take a break from the physical, emotional, and mental chaos, and go within to a place of peace and safety.”

When some of the safety restrictions were lifted and patients were returning to the hospital, the Zen Den had to be moved. Fritze and others are currently searching for a more permanent space option so that the Zen Den can be reopened again.

Other staff members were inspired by the Zen Den to create their own wellness spaces. “Several units within the hospital have created their own Zen Den meditation and quiet spaces—great options for busy team members who can’t leave the units during their shifts, due to PPE and safety requirements,” explains Fritze. “These units are using relaxation chairs with salt lamps and essential oil diffusers. The great thing about this is that it shows that these staff members, these care teams, are making their holistic health a priority. Each space has its own personality. Some have beautifully decorated scarves adorning the walls. Some have little fountains. Some have seashell displays on the table. Each unit is owning their health and well-being in their own way, so we can continue to be here for our patients, our colleagues and our community.”

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Fritze believes that all people need to take time for self-care—to quiet the mind and to stay centered and healthy. “I am very happy to see my colleagues taking an interest in self-care and mindfulness practice. It is so very important to take the time to quiet the mind from the constant stress we are exposed to on a daily basis. Health care workers will always put their patients’ needs first, even, at times, to their own detriment,” she says. “I believe we can and should take a few moments to care for ourselves so that we can take the very best care of our patients. We all think and process information better when we are centered. It’s gratifying to be an active part of a work culture that actively encourages that we lovingly care for one another, particularly now, when health care workers need it the most.” 

Michele Wojciechowski
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