Cancer is a deadly disease that can affect anyone, whether they’re young or old. It can attack any of us at any time. While there are many kinds of cancer, most types have similar symptoms and treatments. These include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
While these therapies may help control the disease, they often come with side effects that make life difficult for people diagnosed with cancer. Patients may also experience pain due to their treatment or mental agony because they’re dealing with a serious condition. Fortunately, there are several ways to find relief.
Exercise
It’s important to stay active to maintain strength, endurance, and range of motion. Physical activity also improves the quality of life during and after treatment. Exercise may help boost one’s mood and relieve stress caused by a cancer diagnosis or treatment side effects.
Reach Out For Support
Getting support from loved ones is crucial for one’s overall well-being during this stressful time. In addition to asking others for help, give them opportunities to offer assistance by letting them know what they can do. If one doesn’t feel comfortable talking about what’s going on in their life, they should explain that they need some space. But make sure to mention that family and friends can call or email if they have questions or concerns. Ask someone else in the family if they can cook meals for the week (or month), if necessary.
Eat Healthy Foods
Eating well helps keep up energy levels during difficult times. This is especially important for those undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy that can cause fatigue or nausea (common side effects include loss of appetite).
Pay Attention to The Body
It can be difficult to tell whether or not one is feeling well when diagnosed with cancer. One doesn’t have the luxury of going to the doctor when they feel sick because they already have a diagnosis. However, people should still be aware of what’s going on in the body. If one feels like something is off, they must pay attention to it and see if there are any patterns. It’s important to ask questions such as: Do certain foods make me feel better or worse? Does stress affect the amount of energy I have? Are there factors that make my symptoms worse?
Keep the Mind Active
While it’s difficult to do so when one is feeling ill, keeping the mind active will help pass the time during treatment more quickly and possibly reduce stress levels as well. Try reading a book or magazine; playing games on the phone or tablet; chatting with friends online; watching movies; listening to music; or doing crossword puzzles or other word games that keep the brain engaged.
