How Can Mindfulness Help Patients in Palliative Care?

Cultivating mindfulness through a regular meditation practice has been proven to be beneficial for both physical and mental health. In the medical field, research has revealed the many benefits of mindfulness for patients with life-threatening illnesses, as well as the medical professionals who treat them.  

Practicing mindfulness can help patients better cope with the complex emotional toll of life-threatening illnesses like cancer, and may even help with physical difficulties like chronic pain. 

Because of these benefits, mindfulness can be an appropriate therapy for people in palliative care. These patients have been diagnosed with serious, often terminal illnesses. Their medical treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, regardless of whether a cure is available. Many people receiving palliative care are approaching the end of their life, but this type of care can benefit anyone of any age, at any stage of critical illness.  

What Is Mindfulness? 

Mindfulness is the cognitive ability to maintain awareness of your own mind, the present moment, and your surroundings. It is a skill that can be developed through the regular practice of mindfulness meditation, which trains you to bring your attention back to the present moment whenever your mind wanders. 

During mindfulness meditation, practitioners typically focus on physical sensations to bring awareness to their bodies and the here and now. While sitting meditation is a common way to practice mindfulness, it’s something that can be practiced during everyday tasks, such as walking, eating, cooking, and cleaning.

When we practice mindfulness, we maintain an awareness of our surroundings, thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. A key part of mindfulness also involves a neutral observance of these thoughts and feelings, without judgment. You observe your thoughts and notice how they make you feel, acknowledge that, and then let them go.  

What Are the Health Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness? 

Mindfulness originated in the religious traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, but it has transcended religion to become a secular practice for anyone interested in wellness. Various studies have shown a correlation between regular meditation and numerous physical and mental health benefits. 

Stress Reduction 

Research has shown that regular meditation can lead to lower stress due to reductions in a hormone called cortisol. Our bodies produce cortisol during stressful moments to stimulate our fight-or-flight response and regulate our stress levels. Cortisol is involved in several other key bodily functions, such as regulating blood pressure and blood sugar. 

Our bodies need cortisol, but it must be maintained at balanced levels. Insufficient or excessive cortisol levels can have major consequences for our health. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can affect your immune system, cardiovascular system, and gut health. 

According to a 2014 study, regular practitioners of mindfulness meditation exhibit lower cortisol levels, potentially due to lower stress. Over time, these lower cortisol levels could potentially help people reduce their risk of developing health conditions related to chronic stress, such as migraines and ulcers. 

Emotional Well-Being 

Mindfulness meditation can help us better manage and respond to stress, which is a common factor in many mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Research has shown a correlation between regular meditation practice and better emotional health.  

According to Harvard Health, research has shown that meditation can change the two regions of the brain that work together to cause depression: the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).  

The mPFC is where your brain processes information about yourself, such as thinking about the past or worrying about the future. The amygdala is sometimes called the “fear center” because it is responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response and stimulating cortisol production. Research has shown that regular meditation can disrupt the connection between these two regions, which can lower your risk of depression. 

Better Sleep

Research has shown a link between practicing mindfulness and better sleep. In a 2014 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, 49 adults who had sleeping issues participated in a program evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness for improving sleep.  

Half of this group participated in a mindfulness awareness program, which included meditation and other exercises designed to build awareness in the present moment. The other group went through a sleep education class teaching them other ways to improve sleep habits. After six weeks, the researchers found that the mindfulness group showed less fatigue, insomnia, and depression compared to the sleep education group.  

Pain Management 

In a 2015 study, Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., and his team of researchers investigated whether mindfulness could aid in pain management. A group of participants who practiced mindfulness had their brains scanned, and the images showed less activation in the areas of the brain responsible for sending pain messages.  

This study also showed that some participants reduced or even eliminated their dependency on pain medications by replacing these with daily mindfulness meditation. 

How Can Palliative Care Patients Benefit From Practicing Mindfulness? 

For patients undergoing palliative care, mindfulness can serve as a powerful tool for enhancing overall well-being and quality of life. By fostering a heightened sense of present-moment awareness and a nonjudgmental acceptance of their circumstances, mindfulness can help patients cope with the emotional and physical challenges associated with serious illnesses. 

Mindfulness can help patients develop emotional resilience, enabling them to confront difficult emotions with greater acceptance. Cultivating a nonreactive awareness of feelings and experiences can help patients better navigate the emotional complexities of living with a serious medical condition. 

By practicing mindfulness, patients may be able to reduce their perception of pain and increase their tolerance for discomfort. Mindful awareness of bodily sensations and a nonjudgmental acceptance of pain can help patients to manage their symptoms more effectively, and potentially even rely less on pain medications. 

Mindfulness can also contribute to an improved sense of overall well-being and a deeper connection with the present moment for patients in palliative care. By encouraging patients to embrace each moment with a sense of gratitude and acceptance, mindfulness practices can promote a greater sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment, even in the face of serious illness.