When dealing with cancer, there are a number of issues to confront. A couple of the problems that may come up include anxiety and how to navigate it. Anxiety can appear during the initial screening, while waiting for results, receiving the diagnosis, during the treatment and during the tests to determine if one is cancer free. During the healing process there may be fears that the cancer will return or the fear that you will not make it through the treatment. It is normal to experience these thoughts and feelings when dealing with a life-threatening illness. By obtaining cancer support and learning to manage anxiety you can help yourself achieve greater peace of mind throughout these challenges. For a better nights sleep, here are a few methods to help minimize cancer related anxieties in the evenings.

Meditation

Research has shown that meditation is a whole body approach to healing. It stimulates the brain to release endorphins or feel-good hormones, which uplift your spirits and help you release stress and anxiety. You can do something as simple as a few stretches, or a few yoga poses before going to bed. There are meditation scripts that can be found at your local library, app store, or online that will also teach you breathing techniques to help you release your worry and anxiety. Meditation will help you get in touch with your spirit and let go of all unnecessary concern, reducing your stress levels.

Change of the bedtime routine

Your bedtime routine could be one of the factors increasing your anxiety. Here are some whole body approach changes that will go a long way in reducing your anxiety before bed:

• Caffeine reduction: Caffeine makes you extremely alert, active, and increases feelings of anxiety. If you need to have a beverage before bedtime, go for options that have little to no caffeine at all.
• Essential oils: Before you go to bed, have someone set your bedroom up to be a relaxing environment. One of the best ways to achieve relaxation is to use lavender essential oil. Proven effective by leading researchers, lavender has shown to help with restlessness, nervousness, and insomnia.
• Chamomile tea: Make chamomile tea part of your routine before going to bed as it has a calming and soothing effect.

Write and visualize

Another way you can fight cancer-related anxiety is writing and visualizing your healing. Keep a journal where you can detail your emotional journey with cancer. This will allow you to organize and manage the feelings that may come up during your process. Use visualization as a tool to remain focused on your goals by imagining yourself cancer-free while doing daily activities.

Contact the Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center and schedule your cancer-related health consultation with Dr. Young at (916) 446-2591.