How Can Mindfulness Meditation Help Cancer Patients?

According to this article in the Atlanta Journal, reducing stress is an important part of the healing process.

Ongoing stress takes a toll on us. Our immune systems weaken and we become more susceptible to illness when constant worrying and fear pumps damaging hormones into our bodies. The long term effect is devastating. For cancer patients and their families, the importance of strengthening the immune system is critical. Researchers at Emory University are planning to add to the significant body of mounting evidence in favor of using the simple breathing exercises of mindfulness meditation to add one more facet to the complex process of healing from cancer.

According the article, the steps are simple: “STOP: S=Stop and slow down; T=Take a few slow deep breaths, noticing the sensations of your inhale with your chest and belly expanding and then the release as you exhale; O=Observe thoughts, emotions and body sensations; P=Proceed with awareness and curiosity.”