Stress Reduction and Relaxation

You have experienced stress if you have been diagnosed with cancer. Many people live with chronic stress due to their work environment, time schedules, family responsibilities, financial concerns, or health problems. And, stress levels increase with the words, "You have cancer". Physicians and researchers tell us that intense or prolonged stress can cause a cascade of negative events in our bodies – events that can interfere with healthy functioning, tissue repair, and can even begin to cause damage to our bodies. Fortunately, a powerful technique, the RELAXATION RESPONSE, is in our control and available to us any time, any place, and anywhere. Although most people enjoy the sensations of relaxation and realize their body feels better almost immediately, long-term and sustained benefits are most likely to occur from practicing the relaxation response over a period of 2-4 weeks. Once we leave childhood most of us forget how to relax completely and deeply. But we can relearn!

Many athletes, musicians, and others including cancer survivors have also learned the benefits of using imagery to influence their body’s performance, influence mood, manage pain and anxiety, and build positive expectations. The relaxation response and imagery are often used together, although each can be used separately. Some people find they benefit from the use of biofeedback as they learn how to relax again. Dr. Sherian Anderson and Dr. Amy Johnson provide biofeedback, and training in relaxation and imagery in their offices at Tennessee Oncology. If you have questions about the relaxation response, imagery, or you want support and personal guidance while using these techniques, please call for an appointment at the office nearest you. If you are ready to start relaxing, and we hope you are, the links below are resources designed to give you the opportunity to begin practicing the relaxation response at home, on your own. Your body will thank you – so enjoy!

Download the free QuickTime player here.

The above tracks were Developed by Marla Craig and Lana Harder, Program Development Staff of the University of Texas at Austin Counseling & Mental Health Center