Cancer Fighters Thrive

FALL 2015

Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.

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32 C A NCER FIGH T ER S THRI V E | FA LL 20 15 C A NCERFIGHTER S THRI V E .COM 1 4 5 6 2 3 Do something you love. To fnd the best approach to stress relief for each patient or caregiver, White will ofen ask, "What brings you joy?" Whether it is fshing, reading, taking a hot bath, tinkering on a car or working in the yard or garden, White says, "Doing something that you love and that you get absorbed in allows you to lose track of time and stop thinking about your problems." Breathe deeply. Dr. Rahman says even fve to 10 minutes of focused breathing can help calm the body and the mind. He recommends the following basic technique: Find a quiet environment, close your eyes and breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. "Taking time to minimize stress and external stimuli in this way can lower blood pressure and heart rate," he says. Combining deep breathing with visualization can also be very calming. White says he ofen encourages people to envision their "happy place" as they breathe, which provides additional escape and stress relief. Move your body. "Exercise is a good way of dealing with stress," Dr. Rahman says. "It can help decrease depression and anxiety and will prompt your body to release endorphins—the 'feel good' chemicals—which can decrease stress." Yoga, specifcally, is a form of exercise that can be espe- cially benefcial, as it combines physical movement with a focus on the breath. "Yoga stretches the body and relaxes the mind," Dr. Rahman says. "Te practice can help patients focus on the present and block out the stress in their life." Talk about it. Whether you are most comfort- able with the idea of one-on-one counseling, group therapy or speaking directly to another patient who understands what it is like to face cancer, talking about your concerns and your feel- ings can help relieve stress. Reach out to your care team to learn about therapy and counseling at your hospital or in the wider community. Laugh out loud. A good laugh can go a long way in reliev- ing stress. Research has shown that laughter can reduce pain, decrease stress-related hormones and boost the immune system. 1 White says he ofen asks patients, "What really makes you laugh?" Whether it is inspired by a favorite comedy movie, a pet or an entertaining grandchild, White says, the result of genuine laughter is the same: "When you laugh, your prob- lems go away." Get outside. Te natural world can provide a welcome escape and a source of inspiration, allowing us to breathe fresh air, delight in the beauty of the world and gain calm and perspective. White says he loves to hear patients describe their favor- ite outdoor escapes: "People will tell me they really enjoy sitting on their back patio and looking at the yard or at the landscape around," he says, "and that the time they spend outside is very relaxing."

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