As we settle into 2013, most of us begin to think about the hopes and goals for the new year
[Some of us make plans to improve our bodies, or our relationship or our careers. But perhaps more importantly, we need to focus on improving the relationship between our hearts and minds.
mesothelioma patients have a lot to deal with the emotional front. There are fears for the future, concerns about the treatment, and uncertainty about how their diagnosis will change their lives. Over time, this can cause a lot of anxiety, and many cancer patients end up dealing with some form of advanced emotional distress.
This new start may be just the time to implement a new mindfulness program to help counter these stressors.
mindfulness benefits for cancer patients
researchers from the University of Calgary published an article on mindfulness in the January 2013 Integrative Cancer Therapies . Chronic section of their study of mindfulness interventions, stress and general mood in cancer patients.
For the project, 268 participants completed eight weeks, the stress reduction program by mindfulness. They rate their psychological health before and after the program, and not surprisingly, their full global awareness has increased over the eight weeks.
As for Patients increased their stress symptoms and the prevalence of mood disorders decreased. Overall, patients reported a reduction of 55 percent in mood disorders and a reduction of 29 percent of the general symptoms of stress
Patients have cited two main influences on their improvements mood :.
- The awareness of the present moment
- Refusal to judge the inner experience
This led the researchers to conclude that mindfulness interventions specifically designed canhave a significant impact on the psychological health of cancer patients.
Practical
Stay in the present moment is a simple concept, but it requires a surprising amount of discipline.
awareness of the present moment requires patients to let go of distractions that make them anxious about the future or reluctant to give up the past. The reality is this: A diagnosis of mesothelioma will be change your life. What it brings into your future, however, can not be changed at this time.
Eckhart Tolle, named the most spiritually influential person in the world in 2011, recommends the following tips in his article, "How to stay in the present moment:"
- direction, the vitality of your body. It becomes an anchor for staying present.
- Welcome every moment.
- Accept that people, events, situations and objects come and go.
- consider the mind-body practices such as Tai Chi.
Do you practice mindfulness in any form? If you working to stay in the present moment, what advice help you achieve this awareness? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.
