When it comes to our day-to-day – it’s easy to get lost – lost in what we’re doing later, what we’re stressed or angry about – in our smart phones and social media.
Learning new ways of managing difficulties can be useful for all of us, regardless of the life stage or the situation we find ourselves in.
Living mindfully can be a challenge – but it’s worth the effort.
The act of mindfulness is the practice of bringing more self-awareness to your everyday life – consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness and the challenges and demands of the day-to-day.
We know the experience of cancer can be extremely demanding – both for your body and your mind.
People diagnosed with cancer will often experience persistent psychological distress – but the practice of a few simple techniques can help with coping.
Free and easy tools such as Cancer Council Queensland’s ‘Learn to Relax’ audio CD are designed to help people learn relaxation techniques that may reduce the side effects of stress associated with cancer.
Taking the time to learn and regularly practice these skills can become a quick and automatic response to use in a wide range of situations – used regularly it can reduce the effects of stress and anxiety, physical tension and discomfort, and even help with sleeping problems.
CCQ’s Living Mindfully face-to-face and telephone group programs, which are based on a combination of mindfulness meditation and cognitive therapy, are also aimed at increasing a person’s ability to manage difficult feelings, and live more fully in the present moment.
Clinical research trials of mindfulness-based group therapy have shown participants can experience positive changes in psychological wellbeing and quality of life as a result of group participation.
Given the prevalence of anxiety, stress, depression, and other emotional turmoil in the fast-paced world we live in, mindfulness has become more important than ever.
Sometimes we get caught up and forget the practice of living mindfully – but try remembering today – you may find that a little mindfulness goes a long way.
For more information at CCQ’s ‘Learn and Relax’ audio CD visit the Information & Resources tab at www.cancerqld.org.au. For more about the Living Mindfully program call Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.