Mindfulness Improves Cancer Recovery

By, Jeanette S. Issa

When a person is mindful it means that they are aware of “self” and their current surroundings, while being attentive and accepting of their imperfections. Mindfulness is a mind-body experience. It is often expressed through meditation and relaxation, which may bring a sense of peace and tranquility. Research has shown that meditation and relaxation are particularly useful in alleviating several negative effects that cancer patients may experience.  These symptoms can include sleep disturbance, depression, anger, stress, and fatigue. By focusing on the present and the self in that moment, the individual is not thinking about past stressors and is not worrying about the future.

When an individual experiences an increase in stress, they may develop thoughts that are associated with elevated levels of anxiety or fear. Death and guilt are the most common feelings that surface in the minds of many newly diagnosed cancer patients. There may be stress about the past or wonderment about what was done to deserve cancer. Oftentimes these thoughts and feelings can result in difficulty sleeping. Unfortunately, such lack of sleep is directly linked to depression and suppression of the body’s immune system. If you also take into account that many cancer patients opt for chemotherapy treatments that hurt the immune system, this clearly is a concern. However, if one sleeps well, immune functioning will be boosted and the cancer patient can heal more quickly.

Because this is a two-way interactive system, other factors must be considered. For example, stress can cause depression, suppression of the body’s immune system, or sleeping difficulties too. Therefore, reducing stress can help improve a person’s overall quality of life physically and mentally. Focusing on the here-and-now and on what feels right at the moment can help reduce some of the negative mental and physical aspects that comes with cancer. As a result, an individual may experience an improvement in sleep and mood, and gain a sense of confidence and hope.

Progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, or self-hypnosis are all meditative ways that can be done in a do-it-yourself manner. To learn more about self-hypnosis consider reading “Hypnosis for Change” by Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher.  They suggest techniques to treat pain and reduce stress using hypnotic suggestions and guided imagery. The ability to be in charge of your thinking and some of your symptoms can be a potent cure for the powerlessness that a cancer diagnosis can visit upon a patient.  Guided muscle relaxation audio is even available for IPods, so there is an ease of use that has not been available before.

For those individuals with cancer who prefer professional help, The Wellness Community in Sarasota and Bradenton provide free mindfulness services to cancer patients as well as their caregivers that include relaxation and meditation techniques. The Women’s Resource Center is another source that can be utilized for yoga and other activities. For more information about The Wellness Community, call 921-5539 in Sarasota or 744-2502 in Bradenton. For more information about Women’s Resource Center, call 747-6797.