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StressEvery day, our bodies are exposed to cancer-causing agents in the air, food and water we’re exposed to. Typically, our immune system recognizes those abnormal cells and kills them before they produce a tumor. There are three important things that can happen to prevent cancer from developing — the immune system can prevent the agents from invading in the first place, DNA can repair the abnormal cells or killer T-cells can kill off cancer cells.

Research has shown that stress can lower the body’s ability to do each of those things, according to Dr. Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., assistant professor of behavioral sciences at the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. “Part of the reason stress may be linked to cancer,” he said, “is simply that when people are under pressure they make poor choices — they begin smoking, stop exercising, start eating unhealthy foods — all factors that are also linked to cancer. I think it’s fair to say that stress could be one of the many components in lowering immune systems and therefore making us more susceptible to cancer and a faster progression of the disease. It’s not necessarily the stress itself as much as the way people handle stress that may be linked to disease.” (excerpted from Stress, A Cause of Cancer?)

We all know what we need to do, but how many of us are actually making a daily practice of yoga, time in nature, gratitude, deep breathing and affirmations? How do we get and stay motivated? Hopefully the articles and links below will offer just the right mix of insightful studies and inspiration…

  1. EXERCISE

Exercise Cuts Breast Cancer Risk For All Women Everywhere

How Walking May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

  1. NATURE

Spending Time Outside Relieves Stress

Reduce Stress In The Great Outdoors

  1. YOGA

Yoga helps fatigue, inflammation after breast cancer, study says

Yoga Regulates Stress Hormones and Improves Quality of Life for Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy

  1. MEDITATION & DEEP BREATHING

Just Breathe: Body Has A Built-In Stress Reliever

Meditation and Breathing Exercises to Reduce Stress

Guided Imagery for Anxiety

  1. AFFIRMATIONS

“Lessons to Be Learned” Positive Affirmation Video

35 Affirmations That Will Change Your Life

  1. GRATITUDE

What It Takes To Get Through Tough Times: How a little advanced gratitude can change everything

The Power of Gratitude

  1. EMPOWERMENT

Helplessness Feeds Cancer

Beyond One Size Fits All