Having cancer does not mean that you need to give up. If anything, you should look to change your lifestyle and increase your odds of survival.
Cancer care takes a toll on even the strongest there are. Nevertheless, certain adjustments and a proactive approach will go a long way in helping you. Let’s take a look at some of the changes you can introduce in your life to improve cancer care.
Seek Support
It is much easier to go through hardships when you have people supporting you. The concept of cancer patient support has been around for a while, and you can look for dedicated communities that consist of members who share similar experiences.
By joining a support group, you will also have the option to help others. Creating a cycle of give and take will go a long way in helping you get through the problem.
Improve Your Diet
It is known that certain types of food have carcinogens. Processed food is a good example of that.
Note that the purpose of an improved diet is not just about managing cancer side effects. Eating healthy also reduces your chances of getting cancer in the future.
First of all, make sure that you eat enough vegetables. Think of them as the foundation of every meal you eat.
High fiber should also be a big part of your diet. Nuts, seeds, peas, and beans are examples of food products that are high in fiber.
Replace red meat with fish and poultry, and certainly avoid processed foods as well as alcohol. Finally, try to eat your meals in smaller portion sizes. Your appetite might not be that great, so eating smaller meals should be the approach.
Avoid Environmental Toxins
Do not be in the same spaces as smokers. Tobacco is a prime example of an environmental toxin. Inhaling even a small amount can be detrimental for someone who is recovering from cancer.
And the same thing can be said about other toxins, such as asbestos and styrene. Ideally, the air you breathe should be as fresh as possible. If you have to get away from everything and spend time on the outskirts, do it because your health and recovery should be priorities.
Fix Your Sleep Schedule
A messy sleep schedule is a sign of someone suffering from health problems. As someone who is recovering from cancer, it is expected that you will struggle, especially early on.
Nevertheless, establishing a proper sleep schedule is one of the most important factors to ensure that you can recover.
Aim to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours every night. Set a bedtime for yourself and maintain it. You might be tempted to go to sleep a bit later on the weekends, which is fine. However, do not go away from your regular bedtime too much.
If you are having trouble falling asleep, make your room as dark as you can. Also, try to avoid using your smartphone/tablet/TV or another screen before bed.
Do Regular Exercising
As someone who is recovering from cancer, you might not have that much strength to do regular exercise.
The lack of strength is precisely because you had to go through cancer treatment. You need to build your muscles again. Even if you have to take it very slowly, find a workout routine that you can follow and slowly work towards restoring and improving your fitness levels.
Prevent Stress
Stress is one of those things that people deal with on a regular basis. For someone who is recovering from cancer, stress can be a significant factor affecting your mental and physical state.
Different stress management methods work for different people, so try to find one or more that helps. For some, yoga and meditation are the go-to options. Others like to listen to music or have pleasant conversations with people they like. And then there are those who avoid stress by keeping themselves busy because the thoughts in their heads are running rampant.
Make Regular Appointments With Your Physician
The last bit of advice is to schedule regular appointments with your physician. Even if you are doing good, it can still be deceiving. As such, you want to get confirmation from someone who knows what they are doing.
