Mindfulness-based Interventions: A Pathway to Ease Anxiety in Cancer
Anxiety can make the journey of healing from cancer, even more challenging. But now, leading oncology associations are advocating for the inclusion of mindfulness to improve emotional well-being during and post-treatment. Shedding light on the power of integrative approaches, they encourage unlocking the potential of the mind-body connection for enhanced health.
The Magic of Mindfulness
Think of mindfulness like tuning your radio to a clear frequency. When you’re fully in the ‘now’, you’re aware, awake, and in tune with your feelings and thoughts. Linda E. Carlson, Ph.D. and her team conducted a systematic review on the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), discovering its deep contribution to easing anxiety and depression in adults with cancer. Like a well-rehearsed symphony, the science of being mindful brings into harmony all the facets of our being—mental, physical, and spiritual.
Integrating Mindfulness During Treatment
Remember how through the ebb and flow of life, the ocean remains constant? Similarly, during the tumultuous storm of cancer treatment, mindfulness-based practices including yoga and certain therapies serve as anchorage, steadying the body and mind. The recommendation doesn’t stop at MBIs—relaxation, music therapy, reflexology, and aromatherapy using inhalation have been recognized for their ability to soften the turbulence of anxiety. Envision these practices like gentle waves, rolling in to wash away stress and replenish your vitality.
Nurturing Hope Post-Treatment
As your body heals physically post-treatment, it’s equally crucial to replenish your emotional reserves. After the storm passes, the journey of rebuilding begins. Along the path of recovery, MBIs, yoga, acupuncture, tai chi, qigong, and reflexology are recommended to comfort anxiety symptoms. The benefits don’t stop here; practices such as MBIs, yoga, and tai chi and/or qigong are outstanding allies to combat depression post-treatment too. Like the sunrise after a dark night, these approaches bring a new dawn of healing and hope.
The Push for Mindfulness Prominence
Awareness is building, but certain obstructions have kept these interventions from being providers’ priority. In Julia Rowland’s words, there’s a steady surge in the interest towards these therapies among patients. The call to action now is to ensure comprehensive cancer centers and governing bodies consider placing priority on MBIs. In the grand symphony of healthcare, let mindfulness-based practices hit the high notes in patient care.
Key Takeaways
- Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are advocated by prominent oncology associations as effective methods to manage anxiety and depression during and after cancer treatment.
- MBIs, yoga, relaxation, music therapy, reflexology, and aromatherapy using inhalation are recommended to alleviate anxiety symptoms during active cancer treatment.
- Post-treatment therapies suggested include MBIs, yoga, acupuncture, tai chi and/or qigong, and reflexology.
- The appeal for comprehensive cancer centers and governing administrative bodies is to view MBIs as a crucial addition to patient care.
Source Article: https://www.drugs.com/news/mindfulness-based-interventions-recommended-anxiety-cancer-114411.html
