Mind Over Cancer: Meditation for Cancer Patients Helps

Meditation is known to have a positive effect on the emotional and psychological impact cancer has on its survivors. Some recent studies have also suggested that mindfulness also strongly impacts the physical bodies of cancer survivors, with effects extending to a cellular level. According to researchers at the Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary, breast cancer patients that practice meditation experience positive cellular changes within their bodies. The study shows that telomeres were longer in the group of women who participated in mindfulness compared with survivors who didn’t undergo these interventions. What is Meditation? Meditation is an age-old practice from the eastern world that helps people to stay aware in the present moment. Regular practice leads to clarity, insight, serenity, and improves the wellbeing of the mind and body. There are many different forms of mediations that can help cancer patients; from mindful meditation, to meditation that relives stress and anxiety. How to Meditate Find a comfortable position on the floor. You can use a mat or cushion to help prop your body up. Sit cross-legged and place your hands on your lap. Focus on your breath. Count for every inhale you take. If your mind begins to wander, allow it to, but gently pull your attention back to the breath. If you find that meditating alone is difficult, find a group that hosts guided meditation practices. Many hospitals offer these types of services to help cancer patients and survivors. A Lifetime of Help Here at LifeCredit, we want you to not only be mindful of your life, but mindful of your finances. That is why we...

Benefits of Mindfulness for Cancer Patients

Help for cancer patients shouldn’t just be available for the physical components of the body. At Life Credit, we are dedicated to offering resources that also help to nurture patients mentally and emotionally. Along with offering financial support, we devote much of our “research time” to learning about unique programs such as meditation and mindfulness for cancer patients. The SPARK Cancer Support Center recently published a post on their website highlighting the benefits meditation and mindfulness can have in cancer patients’ lives. Imagine a world in which you are able to enjoy a deep sleep, drastically lower stress, and manage pain utilizing meditation. Mindfulness is the intentional focus of one’s attention on emotions, sensations, and thoughts that are happening in the present moment. The ancient system helps to improve memory and boost the immune system while cultivating peacefulness and reducing stress. Benefits of Mindfulness for Cancer Patients There have been numerous studies conducted that scrutinize the benefits of mindfulness for cancer patients. In 2014, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states, “Meditation programs, in particular mindfulness programs, reduce multiple negative dimensions of psychological stress.” Another study published in 2000 looked at 90 cancer patients who practiced mindfulness meditation during a seven-week period. An overwhelming 31% reported lowered symptoms of stress and 67% experienced less mood disturbance than those who did not meditate. A 2010 Canadian study reported that mindfulness helped to reduce stress in cancer patients and their partners. Additionally, a 2005 review by the Research Council for Complementary Medicine found that meditation, when practiced alongside chemo and radiotherapy, helped cancer patients to feel more positive and optimistic. Meditation for...