Visualization, Relaxation and Mindfulness
Intended Audience
All members including people living with cancer, family members and significant caregivers.
Program Description
This program combines exercises in visualization and relaxation with meaningful discussion aimed at helping members on their journey of wellness. The primary goal is to raise awareness of each person’s inner strength, which can be called upon, with practice, whenever needed. The program provides a unique experience for each individual.
“A beautiful, relaxing, and deeply enriching experience with lasting after-effects that will assist me in the days ahead. It opened up many possibilities and helped me immensely.”
“The facilitator tailors the meditation to each individual person’s needs so everyone gets whatever they need the most!”
“The program helped me relax and visualize inner healing and calmness.”
Benefits and Impact
Visualization, relaxation, and mindfulness have been noted in research to be important practices for some people living with cancer. Studies show evidence that an imagery- and relaxation-based program can improve symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and pain in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (Charalambous et al., 2016). Other studies have reported long-lasting reductions in stress in cancer survivors following a mindfulness-based intervention (Carlson et al., 2016; Oberoi et al., 2020). Furthermore, a Calgary-based study notes similar trends in cancer survivors when the mindfulness-based intervention is delivered online (Zernicke et al., 2014).
What to Expect at a Session
The sessions begin with participants talking about their physical and emotional needs so that this can be incorporated into the subsequent visualization. Next they are facilitated through a guided visualization followed by a focused discussion that encompasses what members have experienced during the visualization and how it can be applied to everyday life. Most members feel deep relaxation, gratifying affirmation and a profound sense of peace, while coming away with vital coping skills and renewed confidence to embrace their paths.
