As challenging as receiving a cancer diagnosis can be, it’s often something of a wake-up call for many people. Healthy living, after all, is about more than being cancer-free. Focusing on your spiritual wellness and other aspects of self-care is one way to fight back against cancer and improve your life after remission. Start on the self-care path today with these tips from Denise Lozada, Outreach Coordinator for CancerSocietyofAmerica.info An online community for those affected by cancer
Make Small Dietary Changes (for Big Impact)
Diet is a huge part of maintaining health, and making smarter snack choices is a simple way to make a significant impact. Many people with pancreatic cancer find that diet adjustments help with recovery. Yet changes in appetite and even perceptions of taste during treatment can throw a wrench in your menu plans.
Be flexible in meal planning, adding more meals with smaller servings if needed, and aim to have healthy snacks available. Rather than grabbing a bag of chips and a soda (even if it’s sugar-free) for a snack to fill the void, choose nutrient-dense snacks that provide energy. Nuts and fruit make energizing snacks and are easy to grab anytime.
Smoothies take a bit more effort to make but can pack plenty of nutrients and calories. Adding smoothies to your meal plan may help ward off weight loss during or after cancer treatment. Getting your healthcare provider’s sign-off is a good idea before trying any attempts at weight gain with high-fat drinks or foods, though.
Use Your Insurance
Exploring alternative treatment options during cancer treatment, such as acupuncture and massage, can significantly enhance your overall well-being and potentially alleviate some of the side effects associated with traditional cancer treatments. It’s encouraging to know that many health insurance plans are beginning to recognize the value of these alternative therapies and offer coverage for services like chiropractic care.
If your current insurance plan does not cover these services, or if you are without insurance, it’s worthwhile to consider shopping on the healthcare exchange. The exchange is designed to help you find high-quality insurance that meets your specific needs, including coverage for alternative treatments that can support your journey through cancer treatment. This approach ensures you have access to a comprehensive care plan that addresses both your medical and holistic health needs.
Take Steps to Avoid Stress
While stress has not been proven to cause cancer, the National Cancer Institute points out that chronic stress can impact patients’ recovery and motivation. Coping with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment can create stress, but so can conditions at home or work.
Simple stress-busters like taking a walk, practicing deep breathing, and consciously relaxing your muscles can make a difference in anxiety levels. You can also reduce stress by meditating, using aromatherapy, or diving into a hobby you enjoy. Coincidentally, many stress relief activities also center on spiritual wellness and self-care to promote healing.
Also, make sure that your home is set up for stress reduction and relaxation. Find ways to bring in more natural lighting and integrate plants when possible. Even nature-themed art is shown to have similar mood-boosting effects as actually being in nature, so add some to your decor.
Engage in Self-Care
Cancer treatment can take a toll on both your physical and emotional well-being. Adding self-care to your daily routine can help alleviate some of the stress and discomfort that may come along with treatment. Whether it’s taking a warm bath, practicing mindfulness, or enjoying a favorite hobby, self-care can help you feel more relaxed and balanced during this difficult time. It’s also a good idea to remove toxins from your life whenever possible. This can start with using safe and natural alternative cleaners in place of chemical cleaning products; use household items like baking soda and vinegar instead.
Combine Spiritual and Physical Wellness
Many activities that alleviate tension are also great for introspection and grounding yourself for wellness. For example, meditation and yoga exercises are excellent practices for controlling your breathing and relaxing and stretching muscles.
According to an analysis of various studies, activities like yoga may help improve spiritual wellness and spiritual intelligence. People who practiced yoga tended to have a “more positive outlook on life” and experienced less anxiety.
Research also suggests that yoga may help alleviate some symptoms of cancer and other diseases. It’s not a treatment on its own, but gentle exercise has many benefits for your body and mind.
Going for a walk is another simple and free way to get your physical activity while getting outside for some fresh air. Look for a walkable area with a Walk Score of 70 and above to make your activity more accessible and convenient. It’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish, but rather a necessary step towards healing and recovery.
Build Up Your Support Network
Facing cancer diagnosis and treatment is difficult, but going it alone is even harder. Though self-care sounds like something you have to do on your own, part of caring for yourself involves connecting with others.
Connecting to support groups online and in person can help you face a diagnosis head-on. The support of your loved ones is also crucial, especially when it comes to maintaining a sense of normalcy.
Even having someone to talk to about non-cancer-related topics can help boost your spirits and brighten your day. Though cancer will be a big part of your life, it doesn’t have to be the primary focus.
Find Strength Through Self-Care
Being diagnosed with cancer can change your life (and body) in many ways, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to fear and self-doubt. Focusing on self-care and physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, in addition to medical treatment, can help you recover and continue to enjoy life.
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this article is a collaboration with CancerSocietyofAmerica.info An online community for those affected by cancer
visit their website for more resources
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