Healing the Healers: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study on Yoga Nidra and Nurses’ Well-being
S. Thomas, Anusha Prabhakaran, Siddaram Sarate, Rachit Patel, Periadurachi Kumar, B. Vaishnav
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2026/85449.23722 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative phenomenological study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Nurses from various clinical settings at Shree Krishna Hospital, Charotar region, Gujarat, India; all female, mean age 45 years, mean work experience 20 years |
| Intervention | Yoga Nidra |
| Duration | July 2024 to August 2024 |
| Key findings | Nurses' reflective diaries yielded themes of improved emotional well-being, physical well-being, cognitive and behavioural transformation, and perceived effectiveness and challenges. The authors argue that Yoga Nidra is a viable, culturally tailored intervention for supporting nurses' well-being and propose integrating it into staff wellness initiatives to support a more resilient nursing workforce and quality of patient care. |
Abstract
Introduction: Nurses often face substantial challenges and stress due to multitasking and comprehensive roles in the clinical setting, which can adversely affect their physical, psychological and emotional health. This, in turn, impacts the quality of patient care. Among various conventional therapies, Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation approach, remains the preferred way for promoting deep relaxation and mental clarity through a structured, simple framework, helping individuals to achieve inner calm and peace. Deep-rooted in indigenous wisdom, Yoga Nidra offers a conventional intervention to support nurses’ wellbeing.
Aim: To explore the lived experiences and perceived impact of Yoga Nidra on nurses’ well-being.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted at Shree Krishna Hospital in the Charotar region of Gujarat, India, from July 2024 to August 2024, to explore the effects of Yoga Nidra on nurses’ well-being. Twenty-five nurses from various clinical settings were recruited through purposive sampling. All 25 participants submitted their reflective diaries; three were incomplete and excluded. The participants were encouraged to attend yoga Nidra sessions facilitated by the investigators and to maintain reflective diaries to document their experiences with the practice. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise demographic characteristics.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 45 years, and their work experience was 20 years. All participants were female; the majority, 24 (96%), were married. Most of the participants, 14 (56%), were working in general wards, and 15 (60%) belonged to the staff nurse cadre. The broad themes generated from the analysis of reflective diaries were improved emotional well-being, Physical well-being, cognitive and behavioural transformation, and perceived effectiveness and challenges.
Conclusion: Yoga Nidra proved to be a viable and culturally tailored intervention to support the well-being of nurses operating within the complex healthcare environments. Integrating Yoga Nidra into staff wellness initiatives may contribute to a more resilient and effective nursing workforce, benefiting both healthcare organisations and the quality of patient care.