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Mindfulness Meditation Series

As part of her 2021-22 President's Theme, Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion at the Providence Cancer Institute, instituted an online meditation series to help care team members manage stress levels and improve their social, emotional, physical, and mental health.

Through meditation, we cultivate an awareness of the present moment and train the mind to better understand how and why we think and feel the way we do. We hope you'll put your headphones on, close your eyes, and take a few minutes out of your busy day to listen to the recordings, all led by experienced meditation practitioners.

 

Mindfulness Practice #9: Sensory Awareness Meditation

Ground yourself with this easy sensory awareness mediation. Enjoy the experience of reconnecting with your physical body as you embark on a journey of the senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Breathe deeply as your guide helps you identify specific memories and moments that will awaken your different senses. Discover a refreshing sense of peace as you gently draw your attention away from the noise of daily life by taking time to focus on your body, your breath, and your mind.

Guide: Alexandra Howson, PhD, RYT
Certified Healthcare CPD
Professional Yoga Teacher | Breath Coach | HeartMath Mentor

 
Mindfulness Practice #8: Back to Sleep Meditation

The Back to Sleep Meditation was developed out of the guidance and wisdom from patients with cancer who are experiencing sleeplessness or waking during the night. This meditation is a simple way to use breathing and counting exercises to fall back into sleep if one wakes during the middle of the night.

Guide: Thomas J. Pier, LCSW, OSW-C, CMF
Private Practice Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Thomas J. Pier Therapy
Clinical Oncology Social Worker
Ovarian Cancer Counselor, Clearity
Los Angeles, CA

Mindfulness Practice #7: Cultivating Awareness with the Breath

Often when we’re busy, we move through life in ‘auto-pilot’ mode. But, when we’re just ‘going through the motions’ of the day, it’s easy for us to miss out on meaningful interactions and opportunities for essential human connection. The goal of mindfulness is to be fully present in our lives, and it takes practice to navigate our hectic schedules with intention. We invite you to participate in this mindfulness session to re-center, re-charge, and re-connect with the here and now.

Guide: Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
AOSW Collegial Comfort Coordinator, 2020-22
Clinical Oncology Social Worker
AdventHealth Cancer Services
Asheville, NC

Mindfulness Practice #6: The Three Centers Check-In Meditation

A brief centering exercise allowing you to bring awareness and attention to body, heart, and mind in the present moment. When we are in the present moment, we can breathe, feel our bodies, and experience our senses more fully. In doing so, we can bring some spaciousness into life, and relax and release into the moment. Let go of time, any concerns, or worries you may have.

Guide: Thomas J. Pier, LCSW, OSW-C, CMF
Private Practice Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Thomas J. Pier Therapy
Clinical Oncology Social Worker
Ovarian Cancer Counselor, Clearity
Los Angeles, CA

Mindfulness Practice #5: Kindness Meditation for Oncology Professionals

This kindness meditation for oncology professional can help to cultivate an "inner friendliness" towards oneself and to colleagues. The meditation guide invites listeners to call to mind their work colleagues and create positive associations by wishing them well. This meditation can be supportive when work situations are stressful.

Guide: Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
AOSW Collegial Comfort Coordinator, 2020-22
Clinical Oncology Social Worker
AdventHealth Cancer Services
Asheville, NC

Mindfulness Practice #4: Loving-Kindness Meditation

This loving-kindness meditation is a great way to cultivate kindness outwards by mentally sending goodwill, love, and warmth towards others by silently repeating a series of mantras. In doing so, you'll return the same compassion back to yourself. Benefits of this meditation can include an enhanced well-being, reduced stress, and increased capacity for kindness, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.

Guide: Thomas J. Pier, LCSW, OSW-C, CMF
Private Practice Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Thomas J. Pier Therapy
Ovarian Cancer Counselor, Clearity
Los Angeles, CA

Mindfulness Practice #3: Guided Deep Breathing Exercise

This Guided Deep Breathing Exercise is a gentle introduction to becoming more in tune with your body. Particular attention is paid to breath work while inducing the relaxation response. Deep Breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety, stress, fatigue, restlessness, and feelings of physical discomfort within the body. They can also encourage you to have more resilience in your day while providing a greater sense of control and increased self-awareness.

Guide: Laura Chun, MPM, PMP, C-MT
Manager, Compassionate Care
Providence Cancer Institute
Portland, OR

Mindfulness Practice #2: A Guided Imagery Meditation

Guided imagery is a focused practice that involves each of the five senses to ignite positive healing messages throughout the mind and body to produce a state of relaxation. This meditation aims to encourage a calm state through relaxation and mindfulness. We encourage you to set aside some time out of your busy day to practice this meditation for your own self-care. Just as with any mindfulness practice, the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.

Guide: Laura Chun, MPM, PMP, C-MT
Manager, Compassionate Care
Providence Cancer Institute
Portland, OR

Mindfulness Practice #1: An Awareness Meditation

This self-awareness meditation will encourage you to look inward and gain insight into your thought patterns. By quieting the noise and witnessing our thoughts, we can become more aware of our needs, desires, and limitations. With this self-knowledge comes the ability to positively impact our lives and our world.

Guide: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
ACCC 2021-22 President;
Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion
Providence Cancer Institute
Portland, OR

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has provided these meditations as self-help, motivation, relaxation, and de-stressing aids. They do not constitute a replacement for medical or psychological treatment, and we make no guarantee that the practices and meditations will function in any particular way for you. Please do not listen to these meditations while driving or operating machinery as that could be dangerous for you and others.

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