- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
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Living with cancer blog
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Nov. 17, 2012
Connecting to your inner spirit helps with cancer diagnosis
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
A few weeks ago, we talked about finding meaning after a diagnosis of cancer. Also related to this topic, researchers have found that having a strong sense of spirituality helps people better adjust and cope with cancer.
Spirituality provides a foundation of inner strength that can help people find hope, gratitude and keep a positive outlook in the midst of a cancer diagnosis.
Your own sense of spirituality may include values and beliefs that bring meaning to your life as well as how you connect to your inner self and those you define as sacred. At times, it can be difficult to spark these feelings. This week, I thought we could explore a few ways to reconnect with your inner spirituality:
- Quiet reflections such as meditation or prayer
- Active practices such as yoga, dance or walking meditation
- Gratitude reflection — purposeful reflection on the things that you are thankful for every day
- Journaling or writing
- Appreciation of the beauty in nature
- Participation in a faith or spiritual community
Having a strong connection to your spiritual values and belief system can be a powerful way to help you reframe your cancer diagnosis, find meaning and purpose in life and reveal what is of value and importance in your life.
How do you connect with your spirituality? Follow me on Twitter at @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer.
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