Living with a serious disease is not easy. Try these 25 practical tips to help you throughout your treatment.
- Adopt a fighting spirit.
- It’s okay to discourage false cheerfulness and to share how you’re feeling.
- Seek support from your family and friends.
- As a member of your health care team, learn about your disease and ask questions.
- Be an active participant in your treatment and recovery efforts.
- Make positive changes in your lifestyle that will improve your outcomes, such as quitting smoking, incorporating exercise and getting good nutrition.
- Find something to laugh about each day. Good humor is healthy for the body and soul.
- For safety’s sake, when not feeling your best, ask for transportation assistance to your medical appointments.
- Participation in a support group can help you learn from others.
- Pay attention to how you are feeling and get plenty of rest, good nutrition, and take time for personal care.
- Find ways to express your feelings by speaking with a mental health provider or a cancer center social worker.
- Consider complementary therapies, such as massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, yoga to help relieve stress and other symptoms.
- Just be yourself and continue to do the things that you already enjoy doing.
- Continue your current sports activities as much as physically possible.
- Allow yourself private time apart from your family and friends to do nothing, or something important to you.
- If you are currently employed, continue to work if physically possible.
- Practice guided visualization and/or meditation.
- Nourish yourself spiritually through prayer or guidance from a religious leader.
- Listen to relaxing music that can bring about serenity.
- Read uplifting books.
- If you have a significant person in your life, keep the romance going by selecting romantic movies to watch.
- Take time for simple pleasures, such as a warm bath, a manicure or pedicure.
- Keep in mind that your memory function and energy level will fluctuate according to your treatment and medications. Let your caregiver know when you need help.
- Consider writing down your feelings in a journal.
- Keep a calendar and or log of activities and appointments to help stay organized.
