Having cancer can be such a traumatic experience. Chemotherapy, surgeries, and other cancer treatment often result in unpleasant side effects that can make you feel helpless and frustrated, not to mention the huge financial strain that they cause.
This is where self-care comes in as it’s essential for your happiness, overall health, and recovery. Self-care will enable you to focus on your needs, be self-indulgent, prevent overload, reduce stress, prevent anxiety, and help build focus among other benefits. Here are a few self-care tips that you can adopt during cancer treatment to help improve your physical and mental health:
Relax
Relaxing frees you of stress and worries, allowing your body to fight cancer better. You can try a few relaxation techniques, including guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, yoga, Tai chi, repetitive prayer, and even aromatherapy to get rid of any built-up tension. Going on vacation and getaways can also zap out your stress and help you unwind.
Work Out
Working out is both refreshing and energizing. It releases feel-good hormones, which makes you happy at a time when you’re mostly experiencing all kinds of negative feelings. It can also prevent some types of cancers such as breast cancer in women’s health.
In case you are a newbie at working out, you need to consult with your specialist before embarking on any exercising regime. It does not have to be an intense workout, start slow and even try mild workouts like yoga. Deep-breathing exercises are important, especially in post-surgery cancer care. It speeds recovery by helping in air circulation and preventing blood clots.
Socialize
Any cancer survivor can attest that talking about what you are feeling will get you through the journey. Look for cancer support groups and get to hear from people who are going through the same thing as you. This will not only give you hope but also make you feel like you are not alone. You will also learn how to live better with cancer and deal with the symptoms.
It’s also important to talk with the people around you –that is friends and family members. The people closest to you can provide the emotional and even financial support that you so need. Find time to socialize with your loved ones, stay happy, and make great memories.
Sometimes, cancer treatment can affect your sexual functionality. Talking it out with your partner can save your relationship. More importantly, your doctor will provide solutions such as hormonal therapy. According to men’s health, they can be given erection pills while in women’s health lubricants are the recommended solution.
Eat Well
You can live better with cancer and even aid in becoming a cancer survivor if you follow a highly-nutritive diet. Lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains are some of the foods that can help you manage chemotherapy side effects, lower risks of other infections, and keep your weight in check.
Your doctor can help you come up with a healthy diet plan that will prove very beneficial during such times. This can, however, be a bit challenging considering one of the major side effects of cancer treatments is the loss of appetite. Talk to your doctor about this so they can help find ways to improve your appetite.
Pamper Yourself
If you want to live better with cancer, you have to set aside time for self-love where you pamper yourself and feel special. Go for a massage and let the masseuse ease pain and stress from your sore muscles. Prioritize your sleep and stay well-groomed. They say when you look good, you feel good. So, find time to do your nails, facial masks, shave, put on some nice clothes; basically, anything to boost your spirits and sense of control. In the case of hair loss, you can try wigs. Note that good hygiene also prevents infection, especially in post-surgery cancer care.
Find a Hobby
As long as you have the time and energy, find a hobby that makes you happy and keeps you busy. You can watch movies or listen to music. There are also creative hobbies that you can try, including crafting, knitting, drawing, cooking, writing, playing games, volunteering, reading, and so on.
Self-care tips for cancer patients vary from one person to another, so what works for another person may not work for you. Your doctor will recommend certain activities, depending on your capabilities and cancer type while keeping in mind both women’s and men’s health levels. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and know that there’s no right or wrong way to get through cancer.