The Power of the Pause: Creating Engagement and Presence
An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in November 2023.
If you’re a surgeon or proceduralist, you already know the power of a timeout. That intentional pause before a procedure—where the entire team stops to confirm the plan, clarify roles, and ensure nothing has been missed—is more than a safety checklist. It’s a brief, structured moment of presence.
What if you took the concept of taking a pause out of the OR or the lab and into the other demanding parts of your day? Taking a moment to come up for air between office visits, meetings, or complex patient care could help to clear your mind and reset your focus. But my guess is that very few of us actually do this.
Backed by Data: The Power of a Brief Reset
Research from Microsoft's Human Factors Lab supports the idea that taking a personal pause can not only help you to reset but may even improve your engagement with your next patient or procedure.
Since this was Microsoft, the study looked at the way people engaged in meetings. The 14 subjects were tasked with wearing an EEG while participating in video meetings. Each meeting lasted 30 minutes. On one day, they took part in four back-to-back meetings, without a break. On the other, each meeting was followed by a 10-minute pause. Instead of simply checking their phones, the participants meditated with the Headspace app.
The results were striking: analysis of brain wave activity revealed that even a short meditation pause led to increased engagement in the meeting that followed.
Conversely, with no pause, there was EEG evidence of greater stress during the next meeting.
We often equate productivity with hours slogged and logged. But this study—and others like it—suggest that sustained engagement may be a more meaningful, and healthier, metric.
The business world may embrace concepts like mindful pauses, but applying them in healthcare can be more challenging. Between the unending inbox, your dwindling support staff, and the push to do just one more thing, the pace can feel relentless.
But that’s exactly why building in brief, intentional moments of stillness—even just a breath between tasks—can be so powerful. These moments give you a chance to regather and reharness your energy and your focus.
Practical Strategies for Pressing Pause
How can you begin to practice taking a pause? It’s not always practical to take a 10-minute break for meditation in the middle of a busy day. But even a few mindful moments can help. Here are a few practical tips that can help you to create a little breathing space for yourself and to be more present for your patients:
Breathe Mindfully
Take a few deep, intentional breaths before going in to see a difficult or complex patient. Focus on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body. This simple act can help anchor your awareness to the present moment.
Body Scan
Conduct a quick body scan to release tension. Start from the top of your head and gradually move down to your toes, paying attention to any areas of tightness or discomfort. Allow these areas to relax, even if it’s just a little.
Mindful Observation
Take a moment to observe your surroundings without judgment or reactivity. Notice the colors, textures, and sounds in your environment. This brief shift in attention can provide a mental break and promote a sense of calm.
Name What You’re Feeling
Before moving on to the next patient or task, pause to mentally name what you’re feeling. That could be anything. Perhaps it’s overwhelmed, focused, frustrated, or calm. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s positive, negative, or neutral. This brief check-in helps increase your emotional awareness and gives you a chance to reset before shifting gears.
Feel Your Feet
As you’re walking down the hall or in from the parking lot, take a moment to bring your awareness to the sensation of your feet on the ground. Feel the pressure and the contact as your shoes connect with the floor. This small act of grounding can quickly bring you back to the present.
Set an Intention
Before a meeting or procedure, pause for a few seconds and mentally set an intention. Perhaps it’s “Stay focused,” “Listen with awareness,” or “Lead with presence.” A clear intention can shape how you show up, even in high-pressure moments.
Hand Over Heart
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or scattered, place your hand over your heart and take a few deep breaths. This simple gesture engages your parasympathetic nervous system and can create a sense of grounding and self-compassion.
From Personal Practice to System Shift
Taking a mindful pause is not just a momentary escape from a hectic schedule. By taking a few moments of stillness to reset, you access a powerful way to recharge your energy, sharpen your focus, and deepen your connection with the people you care for. Over time, these brief pauses become an investment in your well-being and in the quality of your presence.
It’s time for healthcare organizations to embrace what companies like Microsoft have already realized: sustainable performance requires space to pause. These moments can’t just be the responsibility of the individual—they must be supported by the system. When organizations stop trying to fill every second and instead allow time for reflection and reset, they empower physicians to stay engaged, energized, and able to deliver their best care.
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