Millions of people worldwide are battling some form of cancer and dealing with the challenges associated with the disease. Many are faced with various lifestyle changes that occur as well as the impact that cancer has on the individual and their family. It is challenging to maintain an optimistic attitude throughout the diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare.
Most of the time, the treatment can leave the person feeling physically and emotionally drained, with no energy left to carry on any daily activities. The body will usually respond with negative reactions such as loss of appetite, not being able to keep food down, weight loss, and non-interest in things that were once important.
Positive attitude and Self Care
Keeping a positive mindset is vital during cancer treatment to help ensure the desired results and full recovery. The way a person thinks about their medical condition can have a long term effect on the treatment outcome. Managing self-care can be beneficial to cancer recovery, and the physical, emotional, and mental health of the patient. Your medical treatments are private cancer treatment, but you can include family and friends in your self-care management program.
Healthy food intake
Self-care during cancer treatment starts with eating well. Although patients may not have good appetites, their recovery needs to eat foods that are healthy for them instead of junk foods. Cancer patients should eat fresh fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and whole-grain foods that will give them strength, keep their weight up, and help manage the side effects of the treatment.
Avoid Dehydration
Another tip for managing self-care is the drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. The cells of the body will struggle to work as they should when the body does not get enough fluids. Drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water per day will help keep the minerals in balance. Side effects like vomiting and diarrhea can have a drying out effect on the body, and fluids can help fight these side effects.
Keep the body moving.
Exercise or some physical activity is necessary for the body during cancer treatment. Check with your doctor to help determine where you should begin if you are not already exercising regularly. This will help build strength and boost the mood.
Get rest when you feel tired.
Some patients will become overzealous and try to do too much at one time. Spread activities and chores out so that you do not overtire yourself. Listen when your body tells you.
Prep for side effects
It is wise for the person with cancer to know what side effects to expect during the treatment. In this case, knowledge can be very powerful. If you know what the side effects include you can prepare yourself for them and have some control over what happens with your body.
Avoid stress
Getting rid of stress can be beneficial in your effort to manage your self-care during cancer treatment better. Use relaxation techniques to help you unwind, or meditate, use hypnosis, learn tai chi, or try aromatherapy to help combat your stress and tension. Your body will feel better, and your mood will be significantly enhanced.
Learning that you have cancer is a devastating diagnosis. The treatments can put even more strain on your body as it fights to recover. Doing all that you can to help alleviate the side effects of the treatments is better than giving in to them. You must take the necessary steps to help manage your self-care during cancer treatment and be stronger and less exhausted afterward with a new zest and better quality of life.
