Supporting your emotional health
Healing and mindfulness
Healing occurs on many different levels. Many researchers believe that doing something creative, pursuing a dream or passion can be key to physical and emotional healing. Mindfulness is a means of paying attention on purpose, in the moment, and without judgment of anything. You can exercise mindfulness through coloring books, journaling, writing poems or sewing.
Meditation
Find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed, sitting or laying down. Set a timer (start with 5 minutes and work toward 20 minutes or more). Begin to relax your muscles and close your eyes. Start paying attention to your breath. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the breath. Focus completely on releasing all of the tension in your body one area at a time.
Meditation websites:
• The Mindfulness App: http://themindfulnessapp.com/
• Calm: www.calm.com
• Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/
Massage
Massage therapy can help with skin hydration, stress and anxiety reduction. Massage for cancer patients should be gentle; deep pressure massage is not advised for people receiving chemotherapy or radiation. Many insurance companies cover oncology massage with a co-pay. St. Vincent Hospital Foundation provides acupuncture and herbal treatment for qualifying patients. For information on how to apply, contact Christus St. Vincent Care Coordination at 505-913-4256.
Spiritual care
Spirituality and religion can provide great comfort when people learn they have cancer. Often people turn to their faith to guide them through an illness. To emotionally and mentally sort through issues you’re experiencing, have a conversation with a trusted clergy member, priest, rabbi, chaplain, palliative care physician or spiritual care specialist. Christus St. Vincent Holistic Health & Wellness Center can provide a spiritual counselor or chaplain to help patients maintain a healthy emotional and spiritual outlook throughout their treatment. To make an appointment with the Spiritual
Care Team, call 505-913-5731.