Combat Stress with Einstein’s Mindfulness Program
Recognizing that many of us are feeling stress and anxiety during these troubling times, Einstein’s human resources department has sought to provide ways to help us cope. During June, members of the Einstein community can register to take part in Stress Reduction by Mindfulness, a three-week program sponsored by Einstein that combines mindfulness meditation, yoga, and interpersonal relational activities.
![As more members of our campus community return to regular operations, Einstein is offering a three-week program to help combat the stress and anxiety felt by many during the COVID-19 pandemic]()
As more members of our campus community return to regular operations, Einstein is offering a three-week program to help combat the stress and anxiety felt by many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facilitated by Dr. Tushar Bhagat, research assistant professor of medicine, the Stress Reduction by Mindfulness program is open to all who are interested in participating. The only requirement is to take part in an introductory Zoom session sometime before the three-week courses begins.
“These exercises are designed to help improve immune and cognitive function, reduce stress,
anxiety, and depression, and alleviate multiple health conditions,” said Dr. Bhagat. “Participants can learn how to better regulate their emotions, improve their attentional focus, or simply be more self-aware. And, reducing stress can help decrease one’s risk factors for chronic diseases while also improving mental health.”
Tushar Bhagat, Ph.D., a member of the medicine department, will lead the Stress Reduction by Mindfulness program.
“Knowing how difficult these past months have been and how important is to emotional and physical health to have an outlet for addressing stress and anxiety, we are excited to offer our employees this special program,” said Yvonne Ramirez, vice president of human resources.
Introductory sessions of 90 minutes duration, will be conducted on Monday, June 1, Wednesday, June 3, Friday, June 5, Wednesday, June 10, Friday, June 12, Monday June 15, Wednesday, June 17, or Friday, June 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., or on Sunday, June 7, 14, or 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Simply register to join the introductory session of your choice. After completing the session, you’ll be asked which course cycle you would like to attend.
The introductory sessions and Stress Reduction by Mindfulness program will be offered virtually, via Zoom. Each program session runs for two-and-a-half hours, and participants are offered additional, daily home-practice sessions, which are a half-hour in duration, to do between classes. In all, the program provides 17 hours of exercises for participants.
The three-week courses will take place on Tuesdays, June 23 and 30, and July 7, or on Thursdays, June 25, and July 2 and 9—each will be held between 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. They are supported by access to Dr. Bhagat via texts or emails, in addition to the scheduled courses. Dr. Bhagat is currently teaching the program to two groups of Einstein-Montefiore staff and students.
For questions, email Lani Allen, director of talent acquisition, at Lani.Allen@einsteinmed.org.
Posted on: Friday, May 29, 2020