Going through cancer treatments can feel like a roller coaster ride, draining you physically and emotionally. While chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery focus on physical healing, your mind and spirit may feel left out of the recovery. This is where meditation steps in to make a meaningful difference during treatment.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Practicing meditation for cancer can help you find calm in a storm of emotions. An article published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies in April 2023 shows that repeatedly show that it lowers anxiety and depression in individuals with various cancer types, including breast and lung cancer. Focusing on the breath and body sensations helps patients recover from racing thoughts or fear and eases emotional distress.
Improves Sleep and Fights Fatigue
Manages Pain and Physical Symptoms
Chronic pain often accompanies cancer. Meditation practice can alter how the brain perceives pain, reducing neural activity in areas responsible for pain sensation. Clinical trials suggest mindfulness techniques can lower cancer-related pain and discomfort, sometimes reducing its perceived intensity by around 38%.
Supports Emotional Well-Being and Self-Compassion
Enhances Quality of Life and Coping Skills
May Support Immune and Cellular Health
Practice Meditation As You Recover From Cancer
Meditation for cancer is not a cure. However, it can be a gentle, safe, and accessible practice for people undergoing treatment. If you have further questions about the effects of meditation on your recovery, contact Cochise Oncology today.
