The Benefits of Yoga for Cancer Patients

A cancer diagnosis can consume all areas of a patient’s life, especially their mental state. Implementing self-care and relaxation into their routines while maintaining a busy schedule of treatment and the requirements of their own lives is incredibly important for those living with cancer. Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, connects the mind and body through breath, movement, and meditation and has taken the United States and the rest of the world by storm. Patients with cancer that practice yoga regularly find their quality of life and the complications of their emotional and physical states have drastically improved. Yoga has the ability to reduce the psychological stress caused by one’s diagnosis as well as helping manage the physical symptoms and side effects of treatment.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

People often report increased anxiety and depression after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Some symptoms include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, inability to focus and increased negative thought patterns. Yoga has been proven to reduce psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression.1 It can be challenging for patients with cancer to prevent their minds from wandering, dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future. Meditation and deep breathing exercises allow them to clear their mind and focus on their breath, which grounds them and helps them to focus on the present. Yoga creates a sense of self-regulation and awareness making it easier for the patient to cope with stressful situations.2 These skills are incredibly useful when managing the many stressors that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Yoga can also facilitate a spiritual experience and inner peace, which can be lost when initially diagnosed. A CancerCare client who participated in a biweekly young adult yoga program agreed. “I enjoy coming to the mat because I am able to focus solely on myself and my body,” the client said. “I tune out work, doctor appointments, and cancer.” (MORE)

Source: OncologyNurseAdvisor.com