Portnoy began meditating in 2000 during a difficult time in her personal life. She found that this meditation helped her cope better with stress. Her sleep and her overall sense of well-being have also improved.
It was helpful So She decided to become a meditation teacher and received her certification from Chopra Wellness Center in 2008.
Meditation techniques can help people, including cancer patients, keep their minds focused on the present moment. When Portnoy leads a group, she gently interrupts the spiral of thoughts in her patients’ heads and teaches them the skill of returning to the present moment. She practices her meditation in what she calls a “state of restful awareness,” which increases feelings of calm and well-being in both mind and body.
In a state of active wakefulness, our minds jump from one idea to another, leaping into unknown future scenarios. This is called “associative thinking” or “active thought awareness.” This power is especially powerful when you are under stress, such as when you are diagnosed with cancer.
She says it’s natural and understandable that people’s minds turn to the future and generate different thoughts when they are diagnosed with a serious illness.
“Meditation helps us feel more in control of our thoughts because we have a disciplined technique for focusing on just being and bringing ourselves into the present moment. ,” Portnoy said.
Repeated practice allows patients to work directly into their meditation toolkit when they are feeling particularly stressed.
During meditation sessions, Portnoy typically has people sit quietly and relax their bodies. She asks them to notice and connect with her own breathing. Other techniques may involve having the patient focus on a healthy “mantra” or visualization. While there are many different ways to meditate, Portnoy believes that “the best meditation technique is the one you like, because it’s the one you practice.”
In monthly classes at the proton therapy facility, Portnoy focuses on a variety of strategies, including meditation for sleep and balance and breathing techniques to reduce stress and pain. A regular and consistent meditation practice can help people release stress and anxiety from both their mind and body and improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Additionally, meditation is something that anyone can do, regardless of physical strength, time, or even beliefs. And it’s free.
“Meditation gives people time to rest in gratitude and compassion for themselves. By taking the time to meditate, people are working on staying healthy in mind, body, and spirit,” says Portnoy. he said. “Regardless of the type or style of meditation you choose, regular meditation can have great benefits in your daily life. Meditate regularly, write a gratitude journal, pray, or find inspiration. Practicing other meditative habits, such as reading, can give you time to renew your mind.”
