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Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Comforting Companion for Lung Cancer Patients

  • Writer: Lung Cancer Group
    Lung Cancer Group
  • Mar 18

Animal-Assisted Therapy can be highly effective in helping individuals manage stress and anxiety through the calming presence of animals. Many patients have shown significant improvement in their emotional well-being after participating in Animal-Assisted Therapy sessions.

Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Comforting Companion for Lung Cancer Patients

Living with lung cancer can be a challenging journey, both physically and emotionally. The toll of treatments, uncertainty about the future, and the emotional strain can leave patients feeling overwhelmed. In recent years, animal-assisted therapy has emerged as a powerful source of comfort and healing. Support animals not only offer companionship but also play a significant role in improving mental well-being.


What Are the Benefits of Support Animals for Cancer Patients?


Support animals, including trained therapy pets and emotional support animals, provide numerous benefits to individuals battling cancer. Here are some key ways they help:


  • Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Studies have shown that spending time with animals can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and promote relaxation. Their unconditional love and presence create a soothing environment for patients undergoing rigorous treatments.


  • Alleviating Feelings of Loneliness: Many cancer patients experience social isolation, either due to their treatment schedule or their physical limitations. Support animals provide constant companionship, helping to ease feelings of loneliness.


  • Encouraging Physical Activity: For those who can, walking or playing with a pet can encourage movement, which has benefits for both mental and physical health. Light activity can boost mood and improve overall well-being.


  • Enhancing Emotional Resilience: Animals have a unique ability to offer comfort without judgment. Their presence can help patients cope with difficult emotions, providing a sense of stability during challenging times.


What to Consider Before Getting a Support Animal for Cancer Patients


While support animals offer significant benefits, there are important factors to consider before adopting one:


  • Physical Ability and Energy Levels: Caring for an animal requires attention and energy. Patients should consider whether they can meet the pet’s needs or if they have a support system to help.


  • Living Arrangements: Some residences or treatment facilities may have restrictions on pets. It’s important to check policies before committing to an animal companion.


  • Allergies and Sensitivities: Some patients may have allergies or respiratory sensitivities that could be aggravated by certain animals. Consulting with a healthcare provider before adopting a pet is advisable.


  • Emotional Readiness: While pets bring joy, they also require care and attention. Patients should assess whether they are ready for the responsibility and if a pet aligns with their long-term needs.


Animal-assisted therapy and support animals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of lung cancer patients, providing comfort, emotional support, and a sense of companionship during difficult times.


For more information, please visit Lung Cancer Group’s Support Animals Resource.


This article is provided by Lung Cancer Group. Moody Melon Magazine is not affiliated with the organization.

💬 Ready to start your own healing journey?


Book a session with one of our compassionate therapists at Moody Melon Counseling. We’re here when you’re ready. 🍉



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Unlocking the Body's Wisdom: How Somatic Therapy Can Heal the Mind

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Mar 11

Somatic therapy can heal the mind by addressing the physical manifestations of emotional trauma, creating a deeper sense of well-being. By reconnecting with the body, somatic therapy can heal the mind, helping individuals release trapped emotions and find lasting relief from stress and anxiety.

Unlocking the Body's Wisdom: How Somatic Therapy Can Heal the Mind

When we experience emotional pain or trauma, it's easy to think of it solely as something that affects our thoughts and feelings. But what if the body also holds the key to healing? Somatic therapy, an emerging therapeutic approach, challenges the conventional idea that the mind and body are separate entities. Instead, it acknowledges that emotional and psychological experiences are not only processed in the brain but also stored within our physical bodies.


What Is Somatic Therapy?


Somatic therapy, also known as somatic experiencing, is a form of body-centered psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. It is based on the understanding that trauma, stress, and emotional experiences can become trapped in the body and affect both physical and mental health.


This approach draws from both traditional talk therapy and techniques that encourage mindfulness, breathing, movement, and other body-based practices. By tuning into physical sensations, clients are guided to release held tension, process emotional responses, and move toward healing in a holistic way.


The Mind-Body Connection


We’ve all heard the saying, "Trust your gut" or "Listen to your body." These phrases are more than just metaphors; they’re an invitation to recognize how deeply our emotions are intertwined with our physical state. When we experience stress, for example, our bodies often react with tension, shallow breathing, or even pain. Likewise, when we’re anxious, it’s common to feel a tightness in the chest or an upset stomach. These physical manifestations are the body’s way of signaling that something needs attention.


Somatic therapy takes this concept a step further by helping individuals identify and release the physical manifestations of their emotional experiences. Through techniques like breathwork, body scanning, and gentle movement, clients are encouraged to become more aware of how their body reacts to stress or trauma. This awareness can create space for healing, as the body’s energy can begin to flow freely once blocked emotions are released.


The Role of Trauma in the Body


Trauma, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, doesn’t just reside in our memories; it can become stored in our muscles, organs, and tissues. These “somatic memories” can lead to chronic pain, illness, or even mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. The physical body, over time, may carry the imprint of past experiences that are never fully processed or expressed.


Somatic therapy helps people reconnect with their bodies, which can be crucial for releasing long-held trauma. By safely revisiting these past experiences and releasing trapped energy, individuals can achieve lasting emotional and physical relief.


Benefits of Somatic Therapy


  1. Trauma Healing: Somatic therapy offers a gentle way to process trauma by reconnecting the body with the mind. It allows individuals to release stored trauma safely, without the need to relive or retell every detail of their painful memories.


  2. Stress Reduction: Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and movement can help reduce the effects of stress by encouraging relaxation and helping individuals cope with daily stressors in a healthier way.


  3. Chronic Pain Relief: Somatic therapy can also benefit those with chronic pain. Many people suffering from unexplained pain find that somatic therapy helps release tension and emotional blockages, leading to relief.


  4. Improved Emotional Regulation: This form of therapy helps individuals develop greater awareness of their emotional triggers and responses, enabling them to regulate their emotions more effectively.


  5. Enhanced Body Awareness: Through somatic therapy, individuals develop a greater awareness of how their bodies react to emotional stimuli. This can lead to healthier coping mechanisms and better overall well-being.


How Somatic Therapy Works


In a typical session, a somatic therapist guides the client through mindfulness exercises that focus on noticing physical sensations. Clients might be asked to identify areas of tension, discomfort, or pain in their bodies and then gently explore those sensations through breathing exercises or movement.


The therapist may use techniques such as:


  • Breathing exercises: To help the body relax and release stress.

  • Body scanning: To bring awareness to different parts of the body and identify areas of tension.

  • Movement: Encouraging clients to move in a way that feels natural to release blocked energy.

  • Touch: In some cases, touch can be used (with consent) to help ground the individual and facilitate emotional release.


Sessions are typically slow-paced and focused on creating a safe and supportive environment, where clients can explore and process their emotions in a non-verbal way.


Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?


Somatic therapy is especially effective for those who feel disconnected from their bodies or have trouble expressing their emotions verbally. It's also a powerful tool for individuals who have experienced trauma or have chronic stress-related conditions.


If you find that traditional talk therapy isn’t fully addressing your emotional or physical concerns, somatic therapy may provide the deeper healing that you're looking for. It complements other therapeutic approaches by addressing the mind-body connection in a holistic way.


Final Thoughts


Somatic therapy reminds us that the body holds wisdom beyond what we can often express through words. By reconnecting with our physical selves, we open the door to healing not just our minds, but our entire being. If we begin to listen to the messages our bodies are sending, we may unlock the potential for profound growth, release, and transformation.

So, what if the answer to healing is already within you, waiting to be felt?


💬 Ready to start your own healing journey?


Book a session with one of our compassionate therapists at Moody Melon Counseling. We’re here when you’re ready. 🍉



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The Night Owl’s Dilemma: How I Finally Made Peace with Sleep in College

  • Writer: Carlie Malott | Crisis Counselor | Guest Writer
    Carlie Malott | Crisis Counselor | Guest Writer
  • Feb 27

We live in a world that celebrates hustle, productivity, and constant motion. But in the midst of our busy college lives, one crucial element often gets overlooked: sleep. We all know that rest is vital for physical health, but what about the emotional and mental benefits of a good night’s sleep? What if the key to better mental health lies not in more sleep, but in making peace with it?

The Night Owl’s Dilemma: How I Finally Made Peace with Sleep in College

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been a night owl. I’d stay up until 3 a.m. watching random videos or scrolling through TikTok until my eyes felt like sandpaper. Flash forward to my first year of college, I still had these bad patterns - staying up late and waking up early. It made me a total zombie.


I used to think that coffee runs and power naps would magically cover my sleep debt or that I was young enough that it didn’t matter, but the truth is, nothing replaces actual rest. Over time, my unhealthy sleep habits started to tank my mood, worsen my concentration, and wreck my motivation in my classes. I realized something had to change. What follows is a peek into my personal journey with college sleep (or lack thereof) and the small-but-mighty strategies I picked up along the way. Sleep might not sound flashy, but trust me, a good night’s rest can transform your mental health.


My Wake-Up Call (Literally)


I still remember the morning I rolled out of bed late for an exam. I threw on whatever clothes were closest to me and ran out of my building without breakfast. My test performance? Not exactly brilliant. I was anxious, scattered, and literally nodding off while reviewing my notes the night prior.


I was too exhausted to hang out with friends or join any clubs. My go-to solution was “sleep when you’re dead!” However this philosophy is totally backwards - I knew that if I didn’t address my sleep problem, I’d be burned out before I even made it to sophomore year.


Why Sleep Matters More Than You Think


We all get told that sleep is important - teachers, parents, etc. have been telling us that forever. But in college, the lack of structure can make healthy sleep routines feel like an afterthought. The reality? Sleep isn’t just a “nice to have”; it’s connected to every part of your well-being:


1. Mental Health Boost: Adequate sleep can reduce anxiety and stress levels. Therapists often recommend prioritizing rest because our brains process emotions and memories while we sleep.



2. Academic Performance: Research shows that good sleep improves concentration, memory retention, and problem-solving skills. No, pulling an all-nighter won’t magically help you ace that final.


3. Physical Health: Chronic sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system. Plus, it messes with your hormones, making you more prone to mood swings and sluggishness.


Therapeutic Techniques That Helped Me Sleep


One thing I learned from chatting with our campus wellness counselor is that there are actual therapeutic methods you can use to get your sleep back on track. Here are a few that made the biggest difference for me:


● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): This is a specialized form of therapy that helps you recognize and change the thoughts and behaviors that keep you awake. I started journaling my pre-bedtime worries (about grades, friendships, the future) and tackled them in therapy sessions rather than letting them spin through my mind at 2 a.m.



● Mindfulness and Relaxation Exercises: Guided meditations, breathing techniques, and even gentle yoga stretches can calm you before bed. I was skeptical at first, but focusing on my breath for even five minutes helped me drift off more easily.


● Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This is where you tense and then relax different muscle groups in your body, starting from your toes and working up to your head. It might sound silly, but it totally re-focused my racing mind on the present moment, making it easier to wind down.


Innovation in “Sleep Therapy”: Beyond the Usual Advice


Okay, so you’ve probably heard the basics - like turn off your phone 30 minutes before bed, or stop drinking energy drinks. But on campus, I discovered a few newer or less-talked-about ideas:


● Sleep Apps with Biofeedback: Some counseling centers on campus are starting to recommend apps that track heart rate and breathing patterns. They’ll ping you with real-time advice if your body shows signs of stress. If your heart rate spikes late at night, the app might suggest specific breathing exercises or soothing music.


● Light Therapy: This technique uses special lamps or light boxes to regulate your internal clock, especially during gloomy winter months. Some students use portable light therapy lamps to help them wake up naturally in the morning.


Sleep in the College Workplace: Balancing Jobs, Internships and Classes


If you’re juggling a part-time job or internship on top of your classes, you’ve probably discovered that standard 9-to-5 schedules don’t mesh well with late-night study sessions. One huge thing I learned is advocacy matters: if you’re a shift worker or have a boss who schedules you until midnight, talk to them about your course load. Sometimes they can tweak your hours so you’re not completely drained. Also, campus mental health services often have resources specifically for student workers - don’t be shy about asking for help!


My Ongoing Sleep Journey


I’d love to say I’m now a perfect sleeper who’s tucked in by 10 p.m. with chamomile tea in hand. Real talk: I still have late-night moments when a TV show binge or last-minute homework keeps me up. The difference is I’m aware of how crucial sleep is for my mental health, and I have tools - breathing exercises, a set bedtime, therapy check-ins - to help me bounce back when I slip up.


Most importantly, I’ve realized that sleep is not an optional pastime; it’s the foundation of everything else I do. When I’m well-rested, I’m a better friend, student, coworker, and all- round happier human.


Final Thoughts: Will You Give Sleep a Chance?


If you’re struggling with the late-night grind, know that you're not alone. Whether it’s discovering a new therapy app, talking to a counselor about CBT-I, or even starting your own mini “Sleep Club” with friends, there are endless ways to improve your relationship with rest. The question is: are you ready to put your mental health first and say goodnight to those all-nighters?


Because trust me - once you catch up on real, restorative sleep, you’ll wonder how you ever survived on energy drinks and coffee runs. Here’s to dreaming big while actually getting some sleep in the process!


💬 Ready to start your own healing journey?


Book a session with one of our compassionate therapists at Moody Melon Counseling. We’re here when you’re ready. 🍉


Carlie Malott

Carlie Malott

Crisis Counselor | Guest Writer of Moody Melon Magazine

I’m a junior at Colorado College studying Psychology and Education. Passionate about mental health, I believe normalizing conversations about struggles fosters belonging and hope—values I strive to integrate into all my work.



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