| Relaxation and Exercise |
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There is growing evidence that relaxation methods and exercise are very beneficial during treatment. General exercise it wonderful as a stress reliever and beneficial to your recovery. Many people also find relief from practising meditation, which can take a variety of forms including yoga and Tai Chi. Massage is another good relaxation method. All of these methods can help you to nourish yourself, feel calmer and more capable of thinking practically about problems. Some people also find it helpful in easing pain. For further information refer to The Cancer Council Victoria's:
During treatment try to stay active, and if possible maintain the same amount of exercise that you had before your diagnosis. The path to mental and physical well being after treatment can also be assisted by exercise. It is always important to involve your treating doctor when commencing or resuming exercise or other new fitness activity. Exercise can be important in recovering from surgery to regain movement. Your Physiotherapist will advise you about this type of exercise. Ask your treating hospital about available physiotherapy services. Massage can be extremely relaxing, and will often relieve tension and discomfort and make you feel more comfortable and calm. You should discuss your interest in massage with your treatment team to find out if there are areas of your body that shouldn't be touched. Massage can take a variety of forms, so it is also important to discuss your concerns with your massage therapist to ensure the methods used are suitable. Many therapists will visit people in their own homes or in hospital. If you learn to quieten your mind the muscles of your body become calm and relaxed. Meditation methods are well known to have positive emotional and physical benefits for everyone. Meditation is a great way to remove yourself from the world for a while and take time-out. This helps you to approach problems more calmly, and to find better ways of dealing with them. It helps you to feel better and approach life with a different outlook. Meditation is a skill learned over time and needs to be practiced regularly. To learn meditation you might enroll in a course, join a meditation group or self teach using a book or audio tape. There is no correct meditation method, so choose one that works for you. Tai chi is the ancient Chinese art of moving meditation. It involves slow, gentle, rhythmical and continuous movements. In the body, it fosters a sense of physical control. In the mind, it brings stillness and balance. It should be practiced each day to gain the full benefits. Yoga combines exercises for the body with exercises for the mind. It can help people to find inner strength and flexiblity to deal with the daily stresses of life. Yoga is a skill that takes time to learn. There are different forms of yoga so do discuss your needs with the yoga teacher. Yoga positions can always be modified to suit. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 August 2008 09:53 ) |
