Cancer is stressful.
In fact, some experts say that cancer is traumatic and that anyone who has lived through or lives with cancer suffers from traumatic stress.
I have been a meditator for over 40 years. The simple method of learning to rest on the breath is a life skill that I have come to value and that I teach my patients.
My dear friend and colleague, Susan Bauer-Wu, Ph.D., has developed a very simple method that can bring relief.
If you practice this mindful awareness method BEFORE you need it, you will have a roadmap for finding your way to calm.
Of course, most of us wait until there is a crisis or trouble or stress and then feel a desperate need for relief. Either way, I recommend that you commit to 5-10 minutes a day.
Take a breath, take a break from your thoughts and emotions and experience peace and calm whenever and wherever you may need it.
Stop Stress | A Simple Formula for Finding Calm
A cancer diagnosis, cancer treatments and recovery are stressful both for the cancer patient and for their loved ones.
During the day, if you find your mind is racing, you are having trouble focusing, or you are 
feeling overwhelmed, angry, agitated, worried or critical (of self and others), use the STOP method for finding calm in the midst of a storm of stress:
Here are the keys to the Stop Stress Method
- S= Stop, pause.
- T = Take a few slow, deep breaths and Tune in.
- O= Open and Observe – notice what is on your mind and how you feel.
- P= Proceed with awareness, kindness, and wise action (or inaction… be still, rest.).
From Susan Bauer-Wu R.N. Ph.D., Author of Leaves Falling Gently
