| Stressed Out?
Having cancer is an enormous stress producer in our lives. On top of living with the disease, we also continue to have everyday stresses as well: family, jobs, financial, etc... High levels of stress can affect your body's ability to heal and remain healthy. Here are a few hints to help reduce stress in your life! With a physician's permission Eat Well. Make sure you are eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, protein and carbohydrates. Stay away from caffeine, refined sugars, and junk food. If you are having trouble eating due to chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or side effects from your cancer, try to eat only nutritional foods when you can eat. For example, if you can only eat a little at a time, eat small pieces of fruit, cheese, wheat crackers, and sips of juice or milk. If you yearn for a milkshake, make your own, adding carnation instant breakfast for extra protein, or some yogurt and fruit to it. Junk foods, fried or highly sugared foods may give you a brief burst of energy, but then you will experience a rapid decrease in energy. These foods are not healthy foods. Their nutritional values are questionable. Exercise. Many cancer patients have a loss of energy and motivation. Fatigue is common. Exercise is important in maintaining muscle, cardiovascular and respiratory function. It is also a great stress reducer. Walking is a great form of exercise. Depending on your level of debilitation or fitness, start out walking as far as you feel comfortable. It may be only to your back door or mailbox! That's okay. Each day, try to walk a few steps more. You don't have to be an athlete to exercise! Bike riding, swimming and dancing are some other forms of exercise that can help you get healthy and reduce that stress. Learn how to relax. The uses of relaxation, mediation, tai chi, chi gong and imagery have been very helpful in reducing stress and promoting health. Women have used these in labor and delivery for decades, thereby maintaining control over their bodies and reducing the need for extra medications. There are great tapes available to assist with these activities. Check out the local library or video rental store. Seek out help or support to ease the burdens in your life. There are support groups available to help you cope with cancer. There are agencies in town that can help you with your medical bills and paperwork. Hire a housekeeper or cleaning lady to help with the daily chores. Ask others for help. It's a hard thing to do, but there are friends, family members, and even strangers who would be more then happy to help you. Reach out. Take one day at a time... Each day is a gift... there is always hope... make future plans... have you had your hug today? For more information see "Eating Hints for Cancer Patients" or contact 1-800-4-Cancer. You may also contact us here. |
