Mesothelioma & Yoga: Managing Anxiety and Depression
Health & Wellness
Written by Dana Nolan, MS, LMHC | Edited By Amy Edel
This is Part 3 of a series of blogs discussing new guidelines for and potential of integrative therapies to treat mesothelioma-related anxiety and depression. Read Part 1 Can Integrative Therapy Help Anxiety and Depression? & Part 2 Using Mindfulness for Mesothelioma-Related Anxiety or Depression.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society for Integrative Oncology have shared guidelines for cancer patients interested in yoga practice. Yoga is one of many integrative therapies the ASCO/SIO studied for its potential to help manage anxiety and depression.
Depression and anxiety are common after a cancer diagnosis. The challenges of symptoms, treatment and financial concerns that can come with mesothelioma can be serious sources of stress.
Many people find yoga beneficial for their mental health. Yoga is a combination of movement and meditation. The practice of yoga involves moving into specific postures and poses while focusing on your breath.
Most people are somewhat familiar with yoga. Some may have tried it once while others practice yoga regularly. It originated thousands of years ago in India. Yoga is the Sanskrit word for ‘union’ and the goal of yoga is to unite the spirit, body and mind.
People who practice yoga regularly report a sense of peace and physical relaxation. They share that they feel present and mindful of themselves and the world around them.
How Can Yoga Help Mesothelioma Patients?
Therapeutic yoga is a specialized form of yoga. It combines breathing practices, yoga postures and meditation. This practice can help with physical or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Restorative yoga is commonly called Hatha yoga. This is a gentle practice aimed at relaxation and stress management.
It’s important to follow your physicians’ recommendations regarding restrictions on movement, stretching or exercise. This is particularly so after you’ve undergone mesothelioma surgery. But yoga is generally a safe form of activity for people with mesothelioma and their caregivers.
There are more vigorous types of yoga but the research on cancer patients practicing yoga recommends the restorative or therapeutic types of yoga.
ASCO & SIO’s Recommendations for Yoga and Cancer Patients
The ASCO and SIO looked at a number of reviews and studies. The research and data indicated yoga may be offered to people with cancer for both anxiety and depression symptom reduction across the treatment trajectory. This means yoga can help people at different points in their journey with mesothelioma or other cancers.
Specifically, research showed yoga is helpful and safe for people with anxiety while they’re undergoing mesothelioma treatment. For those cancer patients with depressive symptoms, yoga is safe and somewhat helpful both during and after cancer treatment.
Most yoga interventions in these studies involved therapeutic or restorative Hatha yoga. People took these classes on a weekly or twice weekly schedule for at least 6 weeks.
Yoga isn’t recommended to replace traditional anxiety and depression therapies such as psychotherapy or medication. But it’s safe to try in addition to traditional treatment.
Finding Yoga Classes Near You
Many comprehensive mesothelioma treatment centers now offer yoga classes specifically designed for patients. You may not need to receive your cancer treatment at a specific center to participate in its yoga classes.
Most communities have a selection of yoga classes at gyms, yoga centers or senior centers. If you’re new to yoga, it’s recommended to start with a gentler type of yoga.
Let your yoga instructor know you’re new to yoga and are receiving or have finished treatment for mesothelioma. Your yoga instructor can help you modify any yoga activities that may be difficultt.
It’s also possible to do yoga at home. There are many online yoga classes. You won’t get the benefit of the group environment or instructor feedback. But this option can be a good way to try yoga in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Yoga classes may be offered for free at some cancer treatment centers. But most yoga classes charge a fee for participating. Usually the cost isn’t prohibitive.
Before beginning yoga practice, talk to your mesothelioma doctor. They can help ensure any group or individual activity you’re planning to engage in is safe for you.
