Does this sound familiar?
- I desperately want to be 'normal' again, but I don't know what that is anymore and wonder if I'll ever feel that way again.
- Every time I think I'm moving on I'm constantly reminded about cancer and I freak out all over again.
- I have a big fear of cancer coming back, and every niggle makes me think the worst.
- I get lost in my thoughts and worries about the future and feel so overwhelmed.
- I'm not able to deal with pressure or stress anymore.
- I have terrible short term memory loss, fatigue and low energy levels, and other pains in my body.
- The side effects of hormone treatment are difficult to cope with and it makes me want to stop taking it.
- I don't trust or like my body anymore.
Now imagine this...
- Feeling comfortable and at ease in your body.
- Knowing what to do when you encounter those worrying thoughts and fears, so they don't overwhelm you anymore.
- Knowing there is more to you than the parts that are 'broken', and that there is more right with you than wrong with you.
- Having clarity and feeling at peace.
- Feeling your world is larger than just being a 'cancer patient'.
- Feeling healthy, whole and at ease with where you are.
If you can relate more to the first list, then don't worry - you're not alone!
Mindfulness can help!
Mindfulness can help you deal with the anxiety, emotions and pain of recovering from cancer.
I first came to mindfulness when I was undergoing treatment for cancer in 2011. I was experiencing a lot of physical pain and fatigue, as well as shock, sadness, anger, anxiety, plus an endless stream of worries about getting cancer again that seemed to crowd out everything else.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an 8-week mindfulness course, was offered to me as a way of coping with everything I was going through. It didn't take me long to realise that it was much more than a tool or technique to cope with my situation, it was a way of being in my life that soon spread out and transformed all areas.
I experienced so many benefits I went on to train and become a mindfulness (MBSR) teacher so I could share the same benefits with others.
Mindfulness not only helps you deal with the anxiety, stress and physical, affects of cancer. For many people, finishing cancer treatment is a catalyst or transition period. You may look at your life and wonder what’s important. What are your values? What does an authentic life look like? What brings me meaning and purpose? Mindfulness can help you examine and start to live your life in a richer and more rewarding way than you did before you had cancer.
I first came to mindfulness when I was undergoing treatment for cancer in 2011. I was experiencing a lot of physical pain and fatigue, as well as shock, sadness, anger, anxiety, plus an endless stream of worries about getting cancer again that seemed to crowd out everything else.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an 8-week mindfulness course, was offered to me as a way of coping with everything I was going through. It didn't take me long to realise that it was much more than a tool or technique to cope with my situation, it was a way of being in my life that soon spread out and transformed all areas.
I experienced so many benefits I went on to train and become a mindfulness (MBSR) teacher so I could share the same benefits with others.
Mindfulness not only helps you deal with the anxiety, stress and physical, affects of cancer. For many people, finishing cancer treatment is a catalyst or transition period. You may look at your life and wonder what’s important. What are your values? What does an authentic life look like? What brings me meaning and purpose? Mindfulness can help you examine and start to live your life in a richer and more rewarding way than you did before you had cancer.
Check out some FAQs below:
“I feel calmer, less reactive and more able to cope with stress. I’ve greater focus, and feel more present and connected in relationships. Jan has been amazing - encouraging and responsive.”
8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course
The course is for anyone who wants to reduce cancer-related stress and anxiety, to improve fatigue and to bring a greater sense of balance and meaning to their lives and also to manage challenges more skilfully.
The course is a combination of 2.5 hour classes once a week for eight weeks, home practice, plus one full retreat day. Your course includes:
A silent mindfulness retreat day is included in the programme. This will take place on a Saturday or Sunday, and will run from 9.30am-4.00pm. During the day you will be guided through a range of formal and informal mindfulness practices.
The course is a combination of 2.5 hour classes once a week for eight weeks, home practice, plus one full retreat day. Your course includes:
- an individual phone interview with me before the course
- a 2.5 hour class once a week for eight weeks plus one full retreat day
- mindful movement and body awareness training
- exploration of patterns of thinking, feeling and action, and how to transform them
- brief teacher led talks and group discussions, including the scientific rationale for the practice (just to be clear this is not a therapy group, you won't be asked to "bare your soul" or discuss personal issues! You can contribute to the group discussions as much or as little as you feel comfortable doing).
- individual feedback and support
- your commitment to daily homework practice using audio tracks and course book
A silent mindfulness retreat day is included in the programme. This will take place on a Saturday or Sunday, and will run from 9.30am-4.00pm. During the day you will be guided through a range of formal and informal mindfulness practices.
Register now via Mindfulness Aotearoa!
To join the next course, or find out more, please visit Mindfulness Aotearoa:
