How a Life Coach Can Help Your Fight Against Cancer
By Emily Walsh, Guest Blogger
There are many benefits attributed to working with a life coach while battling cancer. Studies have shown that patients see improvements emotionally, mentally and even physically. A life coach works to help you set and reach specific goals through the integration of discipline, inspiration, motivation, education, physical activity, healthy eating, spirituality and encouragement.
One such study was published in the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences by Dr. Mary Lou Galantino of Stockton College. Dr. Galantino’s study revealed improvements in cancer patients within their day-to-day lives including learning how to overcome anxiety and depression. Physical improvements were seen as a result of an increase in healthy food choices and physical activity through the use of various motivational techniques.
Dr. Galantino and her team concluded that the use of life coaching in cancer patients was able to improve the “quality of life” in the patients studied. The study specifically stated that life coaching has the ability to bridge the gap between lifestyle disciplines and clinical medicine, improving the overall health and wellbeing of the cancer patient. The combination of clinical medicine and healthy improvements in lifestyle has been proven to make a difference in the overall prognosis of cancer patients.
Life coaching yields many benefits for patients that are being treated for different types of cancer such as mesothelioma, prostate, breast and colorectal cancers. The positive results of life coaching are particularly effective in cancers where the mortality rates and statistics relayed by the doctors can be discouraging. For example, the mortality rate given with mesothelioma prognosis is usually 4-18 months, however some patients have survived longer than ten years. What makes the difference for these patients is usually a combination of different factors, however the effect of life coaching on these individuals is being studied closely with many positive results.
Various studies over the years have researched the effects of a healthier diet, exercise regimen and even a positive attitude on the cancer patient. However, doctors are understanding more and more that having a life coach available to their patients who is trained in the techniques and methods required to encourage these individuals to lead a healthier lifestyle can have a very positive effect on their treatment and, as a result, their survival.
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Emily Walsh is a blogger, cancer advocate and Outreach Director for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Emily is passionate about helping those suffering from cancer find alternative and holistic therapies that may help treat the emotional and mental effects of the disease as well as the physical.
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Follow Emily’s Blog at: www.em-musings.blogspot.com
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