A.C. (after cancer), I have spent a good amount of time learning how to manage stress. As any cancer survivor would say, there are plenty of stress triggers added to life after a cancer diagnosis. My stress enemy is body aches. Any new pain or discomfort sends me in a obsessive tizzy. These are the times when I cling to prayer and get back to the basics of managing stress.
When I was going through chemotherapy I started meditating to visualize the chemo working in my body. I imagined that there was a pac-man inside my body. He usually started at my toes and ate all the cancer cells. He worked extra hard in my torso and brain. I even imagined him making the pac-man eating sound. Do you remember that from the video game? It was sort of a quick gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble. Anyway, this little pac-man helped me (and still does) through some preeety anxious moments.
And exercise. Exercise has always been important to me, but even more so now. I practice yoga as much as I can. There is such a powerful healing element to yoga. The breathing, the strong poses and moments of still. Yoga is for you!
And what about socialization to combact stress? If you recall, I have discussed the book The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner. It's a great read full of interesting facts on the people who live the longest. And yes, they have low rates of cancer. Dan studied all areas of the world and found pockets where people live well into their 100s. Based on his research he recommends 4 behaviors towards longevity:
1. Move Naturally – Make your home, community and workplace present you with natural ways to move. Focus on activities you love, like gardening, walking and playing with your family.
2. Right Outlook – Know and be able to articulate your sense of purpose, and ensure your day is punctuated with periods of calm.
3. Eat Wisely – Instead of groping from fad diet to fad diets, use time-honored strategies for eating 20% less at meals. Avoid meat and processed food and drink a couple of glasses of wine daily.
4. ( I LOVE this one) Belong to the Right Tribe – Surround yourself with the right people, make the effort to connect or reconnect with your religion and put loved ones first.
When my kids started school this year, I made a promise to myself that I would start off every Monday with calm. I decided I would meet for tea after morning drop-off and then head to a yoga class. Longevity Monday (as I call it) has been refreshing and important for my Monday mental health. I meet with some gals from my tribe and we drink tea and coffee and chat about life. I hope I have added a few days to my life from the effort made to start my week off in calm.
As the holidays approach I am reminded by my other self that I must relax and keep balance. Oh, this is hard, really hard. But something has to give, right?! Take a look at this list MD Anderson emailed out this week. It's called the 5 Minute Holiday Stress Relief. I actually think it has some validity to it as I have practiced several of these behaviors and felt peace:
- Sit with a straight, relaxed back.
- Focus your attention on your breath and let all other thoughts disappear.
- Do a few, slow, deep breathes (breathing with your lower belly instead of your chest).
- Inhale for five counts and exhale for five counts.
- Focus your attention on each muscle in your body.
- Move your tension downward, from your face, down your neck, shoulders, stomach, legs and out of your feet.
- Imagine all your tension is now on the floor.
- Feel your muscles relax and soften.
- Concentrate on the center of your chest, imagining a deep calm and peace at your core.
- Spend a few minutes in this state of tranquility, focusing on your center and slow breathing.
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