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  • With Mayo Clinic oncologist

    Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

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  • Stress blog

  • Sept. 5, 2012

    Mindfulness for a healthy mind and body

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

8 comments posted

Mindfulness is generally defined as focused, deliberate attention to a task or thought to quiet the mind and eliminate distractions. It's well accepted that practicing mindfulness can help restore peace of mind. Evidence is now building that it can also benefit the body's immune system.

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Inflammation is emerging as a factor in heart disease and perhaps some types of cancers. Evidence for this comes from the fact that some people with cancer have higher frequencies of blood studies reflecting inflammation. People with heart attacks likewise seem to be at risk for these inflammatory markers.

There are fascinating studies that mindfulness can decrease inflammation as seen on these blood tests. Of course, this is not to say that you can simply sit in a room and wish away heart disease or cancer. But practicing mindfulness may be one step to shift the odds in your favor, in concert with healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate medical interventions.

Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress.

8 comments posted

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MY02220 Sept. 5, 2012

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