When I look back on my nursing education, one paper stands out. It was the first time I allowed myself to write authentically about something I truly cared about — something that wasn’t just about memorizing disease processes or charting requirements, but about the heart of what drew me to nursing in the first place.
That paper was about presence.
Presence is more than being physically in the room with someone. It’s about truly being with another human being — listening, witnessing, honoring their experience in that exact moment. It’s not about rushing to fix, perform, or multitask. It’s not about trying to be empathetic, or about “doing” care. True presence is about “being.”
And while I wrote those words as a student years ago, I see them now through an even wider lens — not only as a nurse, but as a woman, a mother, and a teacher of yoga and embodiment. Presence is essential in the hospital room, but it’s just as essential in our homes, in our relationships, and within ourselves.
Why Presence Matters
In healthcare — and in life — it’s so easy to slip into what I once called “automatic pilot.” You may recognize it: going through the motions while your mind is already somewhere else. Thinking about your to-do list, your worries, your past conversations, your future plans. Your body is here, but your mind is everywhere else.
In nursing, that can look like rushing from task to task, focusing on the chart instead of the patient, or feeling like there’s simply no time for connection. But patients — and all of us, really — don’t only remember what was done. We remember how we were met.
Research repeatedly shows that when patients experience presence, they report greater satisfaction and even better health outcomes. But the gift isn’t only for those receiving care — it’s also for the caregiver. Nurses who practice presence often describe greater fulfillment, less burnout, and more meaning in their work.
And beyond healthcare, the same is true. When we are present with our children, partners, friends, or even with ourselves, the quality of connection shifts. We begin to feel rooted, whole, alive.
The Cost of Disconnection
The opposite of presence is disconnection — and it takes a toll.
We live in a culture that prizes multitasking, but neuroscience shows that our brains aren’t designed for it. Switching from one thing to another actually lowers accuracy and increases stress. In nursing, where lives are literally at stake, this constant switching can feel like living on high alert — a recipe for exhaustion.
I still remember learning that even our immune systems are impacted by perceived overload. One study found that people with high workload intensity showed decreased levels of secretory immunoglobulin-A — a key defense against illness. The body, it seems, knows when we’re spread too thin.
Beyond the science, we know this intuitively. Disconnection looks like driving somewhere and not remembering the road you took. It feels like being with a loved one but realizing later you weren’t really listening. Over time, it leaves us feeling depleted and dissatisfied.
Breath as a Path Back
So how do we return to presence? One of the simplest, most powerful ways is the breath.
Breath is with us from the first moment of life to the last. Yet most of the time, we barely notice it. Simply pausing to notice your inhale and exhale — the way your belly rises and falls, the air moving in through the nose and out through the mouth — can bring you back into the present moment.
In my nursing research, I discovered studies showing that even two minutes of deep, diaphragmatic breathing could lower blood pressure and heart rate. Students who practiced deep breathing before exams reported less anxiety. Nurses who adopted breathing practices described greater calm and resilience in stressful environments.
And in my yoga teaching, I’ve seen it countless times: the moment someone shifts from shallow chest breathing to deep, full belly breathing, their shoulders soften, their mind clears, and their body begins to relax.
The breath is always here, waiting to return us to ourselves.
Cultivating Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Presence isn’t something you “achieve” once and for all. It’s a practice — something we return to, moment after moment.
Meditation is one way to cultivate it, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t have to sit on a cushion for an hour, nor do you have to subscribe to any particular spiritual tradition. At its core, meditation is simply paying attention.
Start with the breath. Or with noticing your senses: the feel of your feet on the ground, the sound of birds outside, the taste of your tea. When thoughts arise (and they always will), simply notice them without judgment and return to the present.
Reflective practice can deepen this presence too. Asking yourself gentle questions like:
-
Where am I rushing through life on autopilot?
-
What does presence feel like in my body?
-
How can I honor my needs while being present for others?
These questions don’t always have answers — and that’s okay. Part of presence is learning to live with ambiguity, trusting that life unfolds in its own mysterious way.
Living Presence
In nursing, the ultimate goal isn’t just to complete tasks, but to meet people as whole human beings. Presence honors the mystery of life, the uniqueness of each person, and the sacredness of each moment.
The same is true in our personal lives. When we practice presence, we begin to experience more intimacy, vulnerability, and connection. We discover that being in the moment doesn’t take more time — it actually gives time back to us, because we’re living fully instead of half-absent.
Presence is a gift. A gift to our patients, to our families, and most of all, to ourselves. And it begins in the simplest of ways: right here, right now, with a single breath.
If this reflection speaks to you, and you’d like to explore more about presence, mindfulness, and nursing theory, here are some of the works that shaped my own journey:
Further Reading
-
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness
-
Rosemarie Parse, The Human Becoming School of Thought: A Perspective for Nurses and Other Health Professionals
-
Brown, K. & Ryan, R. (2003). The Benefits of Being Present: Mindfulness and its Role in Psychological Well-Being, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
-
Katz, J. et al. (2005). The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout, Holistic Nursing Practice
-
Beddoe, A. & Murphy, S. (2004). Does Mindfulness Decrease Stress and Foster Empathy Among Nursing Students?, Journal of Nursing Education
Presence begins with a single breath. If you’re ready to explore more ways to bring mindfulness into your daily life, explore my YouTube channel and get my Free 3-day mini video series exploring breath and somatic movement.