Tips for relieving the stress and anxiety caused by cancer

We all deal with stress and anxiety from time to time, but those issues can be especially acute for cancer patients. “It has an effect on cognition and the ability to focus, and it can lead to a cascade of physical effects,” says Maryanna Klatt, PhD, a professor of clinical family medicine at The Ohio State University.

To help cancer patients at the OSUCCC – James learn how to handle the mental and emotional tolls of cancer diagnoses and treatment, Klatt developed an eight-week class called Mindfulness in Motion, which has since become a national model.

Klatt shares all of the details about her Mindfulness in Motion class — and a relaxing mindfulness exercise — on The James Cancer-Free World Podcast. Listen via the video player above or via Soundcloud.

The goal of the Mindfulness in Motion course, Klatt explains, is to let patients know that they’re not alone, that others are dealing with the same issues and to give them the tools they need “to respond to the events in their lives — to enhance their responses to stress, which is a valuable tool.”

The class combines mindfulness exercises like meditation with gentle yoga and relaxing music. Mindfulness “is the ability to be present in your life as the moments happens,” Klatt explains, and meditation is one of the ways people can hone that ability. Participants meet weekly (remotely during the pandemic), form a supportive community, go through a series of exercises and practice on their own during the week. Clinical trials have shown that the course can reduce stress and improve sleep for James patients and caregivers who participate in the program.

Choose from a list of mindfulness exercises provided free of charge by Klatt and Ohio State.