A research program in Alberta, Canada is underway on a new study to help cancer patients gain control of their desire to sleep. The new study is called I-CAN Sleep (Individuals with Insomnia and CANcer). It is the first Canadian study to assess sleep-improving techniques intented for cancer patients and survivors of cancer.
This study examines 2 areas related to sleep; how the body can relax the mind and how the mind can relax the body.
Some examples of techniques:
- establish an ideal setting, a calm, clean, and cool bedroom
- Take time to relax before going to bed and power down so the mind and body prepare for sleep.
- Avoid stimulants, electronics and caffeine to page-turning thrillers and work at night.
- Learn how to engage the mind when your head hits the pillow to sedate the body to sleep naturally.
All of these techniques/strategies are non-invasive, drug-free, and cost free.
I personally think that if these techniques will help cancer patients get the sleep they require it will allow them capture more health, vitality and overall energy. And they may also be able to capture more life. I thought this was interesting because not only do cancer patients suffer from insomnia but so do healthy people. I am one of them. So it would be very interesting to try the techniques to see if they could help healthy people as well as cancer patients. I am sure there are a lot of techniques out there for insomnia. I know its not something I enjoy having.
Do you think these techniques could help people with insomnia?
I've watched my father battle Leukemia twice over the last fifteen years. The first round he relied on modern medicine to heal his body but in the process his psych health was greatly demoralized. It was really hard to watch as kid. He did make a full recovery physically and mentally.
ReplyDeleteHe won the first round, only for his cancer to come out of remission 7 years later with more complications than before. This time he focused much more on biofeedback therapy and let the doctors handle the medicine. He was very sick but still went to work every day and remained very positive even though he was very afraid.
I honestly don't think he would have survived with modern medicine alone. I think it great that studies are being conducted to learn more and to actually be able to show patients research on ways to deal with insomnia with out more drugs.
If the patient is able they also might try yoga a few hours before bedtime. Exercise is good for the mind and the body, just not right before they go to bed.
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