October 15 , 2020 The Beacon • 29

By Jen Jones

Hearing a doctor say she may have breast cancer is one of the scariest things a woman can hear . Even before the official diagnosis — as she is going through tests to determine if cancer is present — anxiety and stress levels are high . Our bodies cannot function at their best when we are anxious . Finding ways to reduce stress is very important to anyone diagnosed with cancer .

Meditation , yoga and exercise are all simple ways a person can reduce stress and anxiety .

According to www . breastcancer . org , meditation has been proven to help reduce fatigue , mood disturbances and stress in people with cancer . While you can find many meditation guides online , it is very easy to do on your own and whenever you feel anxiety building . Meditation is simply focusing on one thing as you feel your body relax .

One of the most common ways to meditate is to focus on your breathing . Slowly breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth . Focus only on your breathing and how the air feels as it slowly enters and leaves your body . Deep breathing not only reduces anxiety but helps the body to relax . A relaxed body is more able to fight illness .

Another way to meditate is to quietly repeat a word or phrase . This helps your mind focus and gets rid of distracting or disturbing thoughts . Close your eyes and sit comfortably as you repeat your chosen word . It doesn ’ t have to be any certain word — just one you find comforting . As you focus on your phrase , your body will gradually relax .

While many people think yoga is flexible people in difficult positions , it really isn ’ t that difficult . There are advanced poses , but simple yoga is easy stretching that helps ease anxiety . Again , you can find videos online to show different yoga positions , and you can even search for the best positions for easing anxiety or how to reduce stress in certain parts of your body such as your upper back or neck . Don ’ t worry about being perfect in your positions — the important thing is to stretch and relax your body .

Yoga has been shown to improve sleep quality and physical vitality , reduce fatigue , and improve quality of life . In 2006 M . D . Anderson Cancer Center completed a study of 61 women who were receiving six weeks of radiation . Half of the women took a yoga class twice a week . The women in the yoga group reported having more energy and better physical functioning and overall quality of life than those who did not take the class .

Simple exercises also can help reduce the stress associated with breast cancer . You don ’ t need to join a gym or strenuously exercise . Simply walking around your yard can help . Dancing around your kitchen or playing with your children can reduce anxiety too .

If you have been diagnosed with any medical issue , talk to your doctor before you try any type of exercise . This is especially important if you are receiving treatments . It may be better for you to wait until your treatments have finished before starting any type of exercise . Meditation should be safe at any time , but again , it is always best to discuss your plans with your doctor .

Nearly every family in Coshocton County has been touched either directly or indirectly by breast cancer , and the sheriff ’ s office has not been exempt .

Nationally , 1-in-8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life , and early diagnosis and treatment remain the best options for recovery .

During the month of October and in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month ,

participating officers from the Coshocton County Sheriff ’ s Office will wear pink badges as part of their daily uniform .

One of the deputies who purchased pink badges for a donation was Buddy Hill . “ I actually bought two of them so I could have one for my uniform and one for my jacket ,” he said . “ I have a family member who died of breast cancer and one who is a survivor .”

Hill ’ s aunt on his mother ’ s

File sided died of breast cancer ,

and his grandmother on his mother ’ s side is a survivor . He went and visited his grandmother after receiving the badges .

“ I went to my grandmother ’ s wearing my uniform and had a picture taken with me beside her ,” Hill said . “ She ’ s not much for saying a whole lot , but when she saw the pink badge and I told her what it means , she got a great big grin on her face .”

Help spread the word about breast cancer , be informed and get tested regularly .

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