Stress, anxiety, and depression are quite common among cancer patients; it’s an emotional journey to fight a life-threatening disease. Cancer patients have to deal with multiple issues. For example, waiting for reports and blood tests or commuting to the hospital for follow-ups can be stressful. Radiation treatment can have a stressful impact on a cancer patient.
Mesothelioma is cancer that is often incurable, and patients diagnosed with it often suffer from stress and depression. Experimental evidence from NCI (the National Cancer Institute)reveals that stress can contribute to the growth and spread of cancer in one’s body. Hence, looking after your mental health throughout the journey is essential. However, there is no need to panic. There are many ways a cancer patient can deal with anxiety, stress or emotional challenges after the diagnosis.
Seek Support
While family members are the best emotional support, you need as much help as you can get from clinical social workers. They can provide mind therapy for better mental health in the longer run. Surround yourself with people who motivate you to keep your spirits high. Join a support group or an online cancer community. You can also talk to cancer survivors about their journey.
It may create a positive impact on your mental well-being. Joining support groups or speaking to cancer survivors is often helpful in finding a doctor best suited for you during your journey towards recovery. Talk out your feelings and emotions with people you are comfortable with or seek professional help.
Keep Yourself Busy
The best way to keep yourself upbeat is to be busy, meet with friends, go shopping, join a language class or do whatever you do for pleasure. Do not make cancer your only engagement, and surround yourself with nothing but doctor appointments. Instead, try to spend time with kids and teach them a skill or two; spending time with little kids can help fight stress.
Be Active
Exercise, go for a walk, do yoga, or whatever works for you; staying active can produce endorphins that fight stress and anxiety. Have a stroll in the sun, run your errands and actively participate in social gatherings. Seek the support of a family member or friend if you cannot do so on your own but staying active keeps your mental health balanced.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can cause depression and affect your body physically. Being active can often be quite tiresome, so follow up with your doctor and ask what you can do to keep yourself on your feet.
Eat Healthy Meals
To feel mentally fit, you need to take care of your diet, avoid any processed foods and stick to a balanced diet. Add leafy greens and fruits to your diet and cut back on processed meats, foods high in sodium or sugary beverages.
Healthy and balanced mealsare metabolism boosters and help maintain a healthy weight. Your body needs extra strength to fight cancer and, the better you take care of it, the better you will mentally feel.
Meditate
Another practice to add to your daily routine to feel mentally relaxed during your treatment is to meditate daily. Find a quiet spot to practice mindful meditation for 10 – 20 minutes. Meditation has several benefits;
- It helps control pain and fatigue
- It helps to sleep better
- Keeps your blood pressure in control
- Improves cognitive functions
- Develops a deeper awareness of your body, emotions, and surroundings
- And most importantly fights anxiety and keeps you calm during tough times.
Mindful meditation can adjust your focus in healing yourself spiritually and, a calm brain is free of stress and anxiety.
Get Proper Sleep
One of the best gifts you can give yourself to fight cancer is a night of proper sleep. Sleeping 6 – 8 hours at night helps you stay active during the day while your mind stays calm. Although it might be easy to relax and sleep through the night, having a night routine and being consistent can be helpful.
Make sure your room is dark and cool, switch off any gadgets at least 30 mins before bed, and avoid caffeine in the evening. If you still find it difficult to fall asleep, you can add white noise to your room or use audiobooks that help you sleep. You can also speak to your doctor and take the help of medications to sleep better.
Have a Routine
Having a schedule and routine can keep you organized and keep unplanned situations away. When you have your day or the week ahead planned out, things will be under control resulting in reduced stress. Plan your meals, sleep schedule, doctor appointments, medicine times, etc. You can have a clear picture of what your days look like and keep stress at bay.
Keep a Journal
Have a journal to note down how you feel every day or once a week to keep track of your emotions. Go back to read how you might be feeling down a few weeks ago to reflect on how things turned out positively. You can also have a gratitude journal and write down things you are blessed to have; you will feel grateful for things around you and, your mind will stay calm.
Talk to a professional.
You can also talk to a therapist or psychologist about your mental health. Talk to your support group or people around you who may connect you with a professional. Seeking help and guidance from a mental health counselor can help you remain mentally healthy.
They can guide you throughout your treatment and offer counseling and therapy whenever you need it. Open up and talk to psychologists about how you are feeling emotionally and in what ways is your cancer diagnosis bothering you. Professionals can keep a follow-up of your mental health and track your journey.
Final words
Fighting cancer is a mental turmoil but, they are ways to ensure your mental well-being. In all these stressful situations, make sure to reach out and seek help and support as much as you can. Hope and motivation are the keys to keeping yourself mentally stable during this challenging journey.
