The Benefits of Gratitude Through Cancer

The Benefits of Gratitude Through Cancer
By: Emily Headley, MS, EP-C, RYT -200, Orlando Health

Explore the transformative positive effects that expressing gratitude can have on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.  We all know our cancer journey can be overwhelming and downright frightening.  Yet we do have the tools to combat these feelings.

Tools to relieve stress and anxiety – the stress hormone, Cortisol bows down to gratitude.  By reducing this stress hormone, gratitude promotes relaxation and resilience.

Gratitude triggers the release of Oxytocin (the love hormone), Dopamine (the pleasure molecule), and Serotonin (the mood stabilizer) – tools to promote healing and feelings of peace, connection, and calmness.

Learning to express gratitude can not only give us peace of mind but promote our physical well-being.

 

Emily Headley, MS, EP-C, RYT-200 is an Exercise Physiologist with the Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement. She obtained her Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida and is credentialed through the American College of Sports Medicine and Yoga Alliance. Emily enjoys working with chronic disease prevention and intervention through educating the community on practical ways they can improve lifestyle behaviors and increase physical activity.

 

Back to the Virtual Studio

Tai Chi with Allen – Feb 2024


54:45 minutes

Have you ever wondered what our Tai Chi classes are all about?  Have you wondered if it may be too difficult for you to do?  Our Tai Chi classes, expertly led by Allen Riggert, are specifically designed for cancer patients and survivors with gentle movements and calming breathwork.  All movements are easily adaptable to your own abilities.

Tai Chi is held online via Zoom and this video is a recording of one of our Feb 2024 classes.  While Allen is standing throughout the class, all of the participants are sitting in a chair.  Movements are slow and relaxing, while helping to increase blood and lymphatic circulation, reduce stress hormones, and work to improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion without putting excessive strain on the body.

So, take a look and see what our Tai Chi classes are all about.  We invite you to join us live on Zoom each Monday and Thursday – register on our calendar.

“Small Movements have Big Impacts.”

Back to the Virtual Studio

Expressive Writing Group with David Richman


May 18, 2023
34:30 minutes

Author & Motivational Speaker David Richman joins our Expressive Writing Group and speaks about his experience writing Cycle of Lives, which chronicles the remarkable stories of 15 cancer survivors he meets while biking across the country – 5,000 miles in six weeks – while sorting out his own emotions over having lost his sister to cancer years before.

David talks about navigating the emotional trauma of a cancer diagnosis (and in life) and how Expressive Writing – telling your cancer story – can help to reduce the negative self-talk we carry in our minds, leading to a more healing outlook.

For anyone struggling with the emotions associated with cancer, whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, or family member, Complementary Cancer Care offers support, free of charge, through our Education & Navigation services.

We offer private consultations with one of our personalized cancer information and education specialists. As patients, survivors, and caregivers become more knowledgeable about cancer, they often find that the fear and anxiety that comes with a diagnosis can be significantly diminished.  Our oncology nurse provides one-on-one cancer education and health coaching, while our social worker focuses on mental/emotional health and life skills.

Back to the Virtual Studio

Cancer and Fatigue


47:15 minutes

Featuring Amy Fentress, Lorien Neargarder, and Sally Serrano, Complementary Cancer Care discusses cancer and fatigue from the perspective of a cancer patient, an oncology nurse and a movement and meditation specialist.

Back to the Virtual Studio

Metta Mantra


10:05 minutes

A seated practice of “metta” mantra is a practice of sending loving kindness to different groups of people: our benefactors, friends, ourselves, and even people who are challenging to love. This practice is inspired by the teachings of Heather Sundberg.

Back to the Virtual Studio

Just 3 Breaths Meditation


14:45 minutes

No time for a formal meditation practice? Try this quick and simple technique to weave mindfulness throughout your day – anywhere, in any posture. This is a great for anyone dealing with strong emotions, anxiety or pain and is an intro to mindfulness practice, inspired by the teachings of Dr. Jan Chozen Bays.

Back to the Virtual Studio