Clinical studies have shown that people being treated for cancer who practise relaxation and meditation have lower levels of anxiety, stress, pain and depression.
Listen to audio tracks on:
Relaxation
Relaxation uses slow breathing and muscle-loosening exercises to physically and mentally calm the body.
Australian psychologist Dr Lisbeth Lane guides you through the basics of relaxation, encouraging deep breathing and restfulness in the audio tracks below.
Listen to these relaxation tracks:
Note – These recordings encourage you to rest and relax. Please do not listen to these tracks while you are driving or if you need to remain alert.
Meditation
Meditation focuses your attention on the senses of the body, such as breathing. It is an important part of ancient Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism.
Dr Lisbeth Lane guides you through the basics of mindfulness, allowing you to find some peace from your busy thoughts.
Listen to these meditation tracks:
Note – These recordings encourage you to rest and relax. Please do not listen to these tracks while you are driving or if you need to remain alert.
What types of relaxation and meditation are there?
There are different types of relaxation and meditation techniques. Guided imagery or visualisation use sound and vision to encourage your imagination to create pleasant thoughts.
Why use them?
Relaxation and meditation may help to release muscle tension and reduce anxiety and depression.
What to expect?
Serene music may be played to create a peaceful environment. A counsellor will guide you through exercises and then, after a period of relaxation, you will usually be prompted to stay awake to enjoy your relaxed state of mind.
| Some hospitals, cancer support groups and community centres offer relaxation and meditation groups. There are also many self-help CDs, DVDs and smartphone apps that will guide you through the different techniques. Cancer Council produces relaxation and meditation CDs. Call 13 11 20 for free copies. |
Acknowlegment: We are grateful to Dr Lisbeth Lane from the Oncology Dept, Wollongong Hospital, for compiling and narrating all of the above recordings.
Music credits
For relaxation recordings: ˜A Pure Embrace’ by Christopher Lloyd Carke. Licensed by RoyaltyFreeMeditationMusic.comFor meditation recordings: ˜Karmic Ship’. Supplied by Getty Images.
Featured resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
Additional resources
Suzanne Grant, Senior Acupuncturist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; A/Prof Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, VIC; Mara Lidums, Consumer; Tanya McMillan, Consumer; Simone Noelker, Physiotherapist and Wellness Centre Manager, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Byeongsang Oh, Acupuncturist, University of Sydney and Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, NSW; Sue Suchy, Consumer; Marie Veale, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland, QLD; Prof Anne Williams, Nursing Research Consultant, Centre for Nursing Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Chair, Health Research, School of Health Professions, Murdoch University, WA.
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