Maintaining Wellness Through Your Cancer Journey
Recognizing Change
Just as cancer affects your physical health, it can bring up a wide range of feelings you are not used to experiencing.
Emotional resiliency is a significant part of your care, so it is important to become aware when changes occur with your emotional wellbeing. Changes could occur after a diagnosis, in the middle of treatment, or while in remission. Anxiety and sadness after a cancer diagnosis is natural, but it is important to acknowledge and address if these emotions are overwhelming, persistent, or affecting your everyday routines.
Changes in Mood
You may experience many emotions throughout your cancer journey. At times like this, it is important to listen to friends or family if they comment on changes in your mood or if you become aware these symptoms are making it difficult to accomplish your daily tasks. Certain thoughts, feelings, and actions can be signals that let you know you may need help.
Please reach out to your healthcare team if you are experiencing emotional distress. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, please contact 911 or the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
Isolation
One of the most common side effects of treatment is fatigue. Fatigue, along with changes in mood, can make you feel less social and more isolated. Unfortunately, increasing isolation often leads to increased distress. That is why it is important to maintain contact with friends and family, even if you need to modify visits to be less frequent or shorter in length.
Body Image
Cancer treatments can have short or long-lasting impact on your body and mind. Some changes may be permanent, and it can be helpful to talk to others who have gone through similar treatments and explore how they have coped with and adjusted to the changes. It can also be helpful to remember that our bodies are changing all the time; however, following a cancer diagnosis, those changes are often very abrupt and might take longer to adjust to. Be kind to yourself during this time and do your best to stay aware of whether physical changes begin to impact your social interactions or your mental health. Remember to allow yourself time to grieve the losses that you have experienced along the way.
Tips to Care for Yourself During this Difficult Time
- Talk to your healthcare team
- Talk to a friend or family member
- Join a support group
- Seek counseling
- Maintain some degree of physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Spending time in nature
- Spend time with a pet
- Practice mind-body-spirit techniques
- Yoga
- Mindful meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Breathing techniques
- Guided imagery
- Journaling