| ation is a mind-body process that uses concentration | | | | self-directed, or guided by doctors, psychiatrists, other |
| or reflection to relax the body and calm the mind. It has | | | | mental health professionals, or yoga masters. It can |
| been defined as the intentional self-regulation of | | | | also be guided by masters from different schools of |
| attention, a mental focus on a particular aspect of | | | | meditation (for example, Zen meditation, Tibetan |
| one’s inner or outer experience. | | | | meditation, Transcendental Meditation), as well as |
| Meditation is one of several relaxation methods | | | | those from tai chi and martial arts. |
| evaluated and found to be of possible benefit to | | | | Meditation may be done by choosing a quiet place |
| people living with cancer it might be a useful | | | | free from distraction, sitting or resting quietly with eyes |
| complementary therapy for treating chronic pain and | | | | closed, noticing one's breathing and physical sensations, |
| sleeping problems such as insomnia that are | | | | and letting go of all intruding thoughts. The person may |
| sometimes associated with mesothelioma cancer . | | | | also achieve a relaxed yet alert state by focusing on a |
| Some mesothelioma cancer treatment centers offer | | | | pleasant idea or thought, or by chanting a phrase or |
| meditation or relaxation therapy with standard medical | | | | special sound silently or aloud. The ultimate goal of |
| care. Available scientific evidence does not suggest | | | | meditation is to separate oneself mentally from the |
| that meditation is effective in treating mesothelioma or | | | | outside world by suspending the usual stream of |
| any other disease however, it has however been | | | | consciousness. Some practitioners recommend two |
| found to improve the quality of life of people with | | | | sessions of fifteen to twenty minutes a day. |
| mesothelioma cancer. | | | | In the last twenty years, meditation has been studied in |
| It has been recorded that regular meditation can | | | | clinical trials as a way of reducing stress on both the |
| reduce chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, | | | | mind and body. Research shows that meditation can |
| cholesterol, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress | | | | help reduce anxiety, stress, blood pressure, chronic |
| disorder , and blood cortisol levels that are increased | | | | pain, and insomnia. |
| by stress (sometimes called "stress hormones"). | | | | Studies of mindfulness meditation found that it seemed |
| Practitioners also claim meditation improves mood, | | | | to help with symptoms of anxiety. |
| immune function, and fertility. Supporters further claim | | | | Studies have shown that meditation reduces the |
| meditation increases mental efficiency and alertness | | | | symptoms of stress and emotional disturbance in |
| and raises self-awareness, all of which contribute to | | | | mesothelioma patients. Some studies have also |
| relaxation. | | | | suggested that more meditation improves the chance |
| There are different forms of meditation. Meditation | | | | of a positive outcome for the cancer patients. |
| may be done while sitting, but there are also moving | | | | Complications are rare, however, a small number of |
| forms of meditation, like tai chi, qigong, walking, and the | | | | people who meditate have become disoriented or |
| Japanese martial art aikido. One commonly practiced | | | | anxious and experienced some negative feelings. |
| type is Transcendental Meditation, which involves | | | | People with certain types of mental illness may be |
| repeating a word or phrase, called a mantra, either | | | | more likely to have these responses. You should talk |
| silently or aloud. Another is mindfulness meditation, in | | | | with their doctors before starting any type of |
| which a person observes sensations, perceptions, and | | | | meditation that involves movement of joints and |
| thoughts without judgment as they arise. There are | | | | muscles, such as qigong or martial arts. |
| other types of meditation that focus one's attention | | | | In conclusion, even if you decide to start meditation you |
| through walking or visualizing. | | | | should not abandon your conventional medical care for |
| Meditations that focus on words or images and do not | | | | mesothelioma cancer as this might lead to bad |
| strive for a state of thoughtless awareness are | | | | outcome for you. |
| sometimes called quasimeditative. Meditation can be | | | | |