Mindfulness
Local clinical commissioning groups have found mindfulness to work well for many aspects of mental health, and with more people surviving cancer, it is a great way to support people in taking an active role in their own recovery.
For people living with cancer, mindfulness can help improve wellbeing and the ability to cope with the symptoms of cancer. It aims to help people live more fully in the present moment, reducing stress and anxiety, helping to control pain, sleep difficulties and giving a greater sense of peace.
Our mindfulness tips
Take time to breathe
Just 4 or 5 minutes each morning to simply sit. Keep the back of your body long and focus upon your breath. Whenever your mind starts to wander to the future or the past, return back to the object of your focus, your breath.
Spend time in nature
This will give your body an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.
Relax
Don’t feel the need to fill all of your time with doing, sometimes just simply be.
Disconnect from technology
Practice not looking at your phone while walking or instead of watching the TV during dinner, focus on the flavour of the food.
Start a gratitude practice
Write down three things you are grateful for each day. The more we reflect on the things we are grateful for, the more positive we will feel.