Living with cancer
Relaxation and breathing exercises
Relaxation is a simple, yet effective tool for transforming the emotional state of your mind. To help maintain health and wellbeing during or after cancer treatment, you can create a positive and relaxed emotional state by using relaxation and visualisation techniques.
You can try the following simple exercise at home when you have a few minutes to your self. You may find it strange or difficult at first however relaxation is a skill that improves over time.
Simple breathing relaxation
- As you get into a comfortable position, allow your eyes to close softly turning your attention inwards.
- Feel your body becoming heavy and sinking deeply into the chair or bed underneath you.
- Bring your attention to your breathing taking a few, slightly deeper, slower breaths.
- As you continue to be aware of your breathing, begin to lengthen you breaths out slightly.
try breathing in to a count of three and breathing out through your mouth to a count of five or six. As you relax, try to slow your breathing still further. - Enjoy feeling the cool air of the in breath in your nostrils and the warm air in your mouth with each out breath.
- Notice your tummy rising and falling with each breath and imagine yourself breathing in from the level of your tummy, as though you are breathing through your tummy button.
- Imagine your tummy filling with air like a small balloon and then flattening again as the balloon deflates through your tummy button.
- Continue breathing for a few minutes using this image and enjoying the movement of breath in your body.
- When you are ready, gently open your eyes and have a stretch.
- Try to maintain the feeling of relaxation in your movements and breathing as you get on with your day.
There are also a number of audio exercises in the links below - try different ones to see which works best for you.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Maggie's Centres
National organisation
Located in the grounds of major NHS cancer hospitals,as well as online, Maggie's Centres are places that can give the extra emotional, practical and social support that people with cancer need.
Relaxation techniques
A selection of audio files of relaxation techniques from the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust website. There are designed to help relieve stress and gain a sense of well-being.
Link last reviewed: Friday 6 January 2017
Produced by: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
National organisation
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England employing more than 6,000 staff, serving a population of approximately 1.4 million, providing services across an area totalling 2,200 square miles
All about depression
National organisation
For more than ten years, our mission at AllAboutDepression.com has been to provide a valuable resource for visitors seeking information about clinical depression online. We strongly believe that making information about depression available is very important in helping millions of people affected by this condition understand that they are not alone, that help and support are available, and that they can feel better!
Podcasts for your wellbeing
These free podcasts can help you relax and improve your sense of wellbeing. They're designed to fit around your lifestyle and provide an introduction to the skills and techniques that can help you live a mentally healthier life.
Link last reviewed: Friday 6 January 2017
Produced by: Mental health foundation
Mental health foundation
National organisation
We are working towards a world with good mental health, and ending the inequalities that face people experiencing mental health problems, living with learning disabilities or reduced mental capacity.
