Self Care During Your Cancer Treatment

The news of your cancer diagnosis might make your whole world stop. Suddenly, your priorities become your next treatments and finding ways to care for your kids as best as you can. Self-care is one of those aspects of your life that can easily fall by the wayside. The truth is, throughout your cancer treatment is when self-care can be most vital to keep strong for both yourself and others. 

It’s About the Small Things

We know that the challenges of cancer may prevent you from having the energy to do certain activities, but there is still a wide range of self-care to keep your mind and body at ease. Setting time for something as simple as getting a massage can be enough to rejuvenate you. Other ways of staving off stress include starting meditation, Tai Chi (a mindful, very gentle form of exercise), and even implementing aromatherapy into your routine can work wonders. Though not a whole lot of research has been done on aromatherapy, studies have shown that it can alter your behavior, brainwaves, and reduce amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol. 

It’s never a good idea to skip out on sleep; try to create a sleep schedule that works for you and stick to it. Getting quality sleep is an underrated part of healing and a great promoter of peace of mind. Look into a cancer support group through your hospital or through finding one online; it’s important to connect with others who know firsthand what you’re going through. Finally, try to stay as well-groomed as possible since looking good helps you feel good! 

Tips for Dealing with Nausea

Overcoming nausea can be quite an obstacle when dealing with chemotherapy and radiation. It can truly impact your day and keep you from enjoying your hobbies or spending time with friends and family. Traditional Chinese acupuncture, some cannabis products, and diet changes are proven ways to relieve it. A certified acupuncture therapist can target various pressure points in your body, called acupoints, to reduce nausea. There are a few points you can target yourself, shown here, that you can do at home.

 In addition to this, medicinal cannabis might also be a viable option for you, depending on its legality where you live. Two of the main active compounds are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)-  which has been proven effective at treating pain, nausea, and lower inflammation- and CBD, (Cannabidiol) which promotes relaxation. The only downside is that many people do not like THC’s psychoactive effect. However, for many, cannabis is a lifesaver when it comes to coping with cancer treatments. 

Diet changes include eating healthy, unprocessed snacks throughout the day to keep your energy up. We know it can be hard to eat with changes in appetite, but talking to your doctor about your nutritional needs is a must. Besides medication, eating or drinking ginger or lemon can serve as natural remedies for your nausea. We advise that you always check in with your doctor before trying any of the above recommendations or alternative medicines to complement your main treatments. 

The key thing to remember here is that self-care is not selfish, but it works to keep you grounded enough to be the best version of yourself through challenging times. We’re believers that you can live a quality life as you bravely fight cancer!

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