Journey of mat to mask, where OM meets O2: Harnessing mindfulness in perioperative care- A Perspective of the Anaesthesiologist

Abstract

Holistic wellbeing and the philosophy of yoga and meditation offer a natural parallel to the practice of anaesthesiology, both aiming to guide the body and mind into a state of safe, restorative stillness. This perspective piece explores a “two-sided holistic correlation” in perioperative care: the inner terrain of the patient, whose chronic disease burden and psychological state shape anaesthetic risk and recovery, and the inner state of the anaesthesiologist, whose own clarity, empathy, and self-care shape vigilance and decision-making in the operating theatre. The author argues for a teambased approach in which mindfulness practices support both patients and perioperative staff, contributing to a calmer, safer operating theatre ecosystem and better outcomes for the healer and the healed alike.