1. Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-body therapies are a group of healing techniques that enhance the mind’s interactions with bodily function, to induce relaxation and to improve overall health and well-being. Daily practice is essential for deriving benefit from these therapies, which have become increasingly popular over the last two decades. A growing body of research indicates that mind-body therapies are safe and effective ways of mitigating physical and emotional symptoms, and improving coping skills in cancer patients. Because these practices are pleasant, noninvasive and beneficial, they are most suited for patients and survivors to help manage their own care.
Mind-Body therapies create awareness of body parts and their movements and breathing, mental focus, and in helping to relax the body and mind. Some examples are;
1. Meditation: focused breathing or repetition of words or phrases to quiet the mind and lessen stressful thoughts and feelings.
2. Biofeedback: using special machines, the patient learns how to control certain body functions that are normally out of one's awareness (such as heart rate and blood pressure).
3. Hypnosis: a trance-like state in which a person becomes more aware and focused on certain feelings, thoughts, images, sensations or behaviors. A person may feel more calm and open to suggestion in order to aid in healing.
4. Yoga: ancient system of practices used to balance the mind and body through stretches and poses, meditation, and controlled breathing
5. Tai-Chi: a form of gentle exercise and meditation that uses slow sets of body movements and controlled breathing.
6. Guided imagery: focusing on positive images in the mind, such as imagining scenes, pictures, or experiences to help the body heal
7. Creative Expressive creative art therapy: Creative art and performing activities like painting, sketching, music, or dance etc.