A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Breath and Meditation on Reducing the Level of Stress, Anxiety and Depression among Nursing Professionals Working in COVID Pandemic Situation

Introduction: Nursing professionals, working in COVID pandemic situation are exposed to various infectious diseases, including those transmitted through the blood or other body fluids and/or airborne infectious agents, the Nursing professionals who are in direct contact with the patients are exposed to highest levels of risk. Nurses are particularly vulnerable to many job-related hazards, and undergo a considerable amount of emotional pressures in relation to their jobs. Aim: a study to assess the effectiveness of breath and meditation on reducing the level of stress, anxiety and depression among nursing professionals working in COVID pandemic situation. Materials and methods: Quantitative approach-one group Pretest Post test design was adopted to conduct the study on 160 nursing professionals who were working in COVID pandemic situation Bangalore was selected by using Non probability convenience sampling technique to. Nursing professionals who had moderate and severe stress, anxiety and depression and those were willing to participate were included in the study. Nursing professional?s who have history of hyper sensitivity, asthma, mental illness, nasal polyps and use of any anxiolytic; herbal drugs were excluded from the study. Results: In the current study findings reveals that among 160 nursing professionals, during pre test 49 (30%) had low level of stress, 105 (66%) had Moderate level of stress and 6 (4%) had high perceived stress and in post test 153 (96%) had low level of stress, 7 (4%) had Moderate level of stress. Among 160 Nursing professionals, during pre test 13 (8%) had low level of anxiety, 140 (88%) had Moderate level of anxiety and 7 (4%) had severe anxiety and in post test 152 (95%) had low level of anxiety and 7 (4%) had moderate level of anxiety. among 160 Nursing professionals, during pre test 6 (4%) are normal, 2 (1%) had Mild mood disturbance, 44 (27%) had borderline clinical depression and 108 (68%) had moderate level of depression whereas in post test 140 (87%) are normal and 20 (30%) are having mild mood disturbance. Conclusion: The study is concluded that breathe meditation is effective in reducing the level of stress anxiety and depression among nursing professionals working in COVID pandemic situation. It can be practiced easily, less time consuming and cost effective.