Cancer not only affects you physically but it also has some dire consequences on your mental health. A cancer patient’s body and the immune system have to fight the cancer cells, while the patient battles with all the daunting thoughts in his mind.
Cancer patients are more prone to suffer from anxiety and depression. Numerous concerns and thoughts are accumulated in the patient’s mind, resulting in depression. The treatment of cancer itself is not very friendly and has multiple side effects including nausea and fatigue. There are medicines that your doctor will prescribe to you that can decrease these symptoms. Other than pharmaceutical drugs, there are natural remedies as well such as medical cannabis. Many cancer patients have reported positive effects after taking cannabis in an administered amount. You can easily get medical cannabis at www.lotuslandclub.com.
For any cancer patient, it is important that they don’t lose their resolve. Unfortunately, it can be hard to feel positive when you are feeling down all the time. While you cannot do much about your physical treatment, you can try and keep your mind healthy. Here are some tips that can help with your depression.
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1. Exercise
Exercise improves your physical and mental health. As your body regains its strength, your mind becomes more alert. The exercise should not have to be exhausting as you don’t want to tire yourself. The goal here is to prepare your body to handle the treatment and all its side effects.
It is better if you do the exercise that targets your specific weakness. For example, a patient who has gone through a mastectomy should do exercises that strengthen the shoulders.
2. Express Yourself
No matter how difficult it seems to you, you have to talk about what’s bothering you to your family or friends. There are many cancer support groups that can prove to be helpful. It is necessary that you don’t keep your feelings cooped up inside as they will only increase your anxiety.
Talking about your struggles and worries can make you feel better. This also means that you don’t have to put up a happy face because you are supposed to. If you are feeling under the weather, don’t hesitate to take some time for yourself.
3. Identify Your Triggers
Every person with anxiety has triggers that can make them feel anxious all over again. Cancer patients also have such triggers. In their case, it can be something that makes them relive the emotions associated with their treatment or receiving their test results. Recognize your triggers so you can plan your strategies to manage them in the future.
4. Reach Out To Your Care Team
Your cancer care team’s job is to entertain any question that you may have. There are times when cancer patients can feel extremely hopeless because of the prospects of their future. They can have pressing questions about what is in store for them.
Your care team is supposed to provide you with any information that you need. Instead of going over these questions in your head, it is better to have someone who can answer them. If you are feeling under stress, your care team will be able to help you with the proper medication. Open up about your fears and feelings.
5. Do Some Relaxation Techniques
The counter-treatment to anxiety is a relaxation exercise. You can use anxiety subscription box, It could be a breathing exercise, meditation, yoga etc. Anxiety can be so overwhelming at times that the person can feel shortness of breath or dizziness. A breathing exercise will help keep you focused. Inhale from your mouth, and exhale from your nose. This exercise helps when you are having a panic attack or are having difficulty breathing.
Meditation and yoga can also help you feel more grounded and relaxed. Instead of doing meditation when you are stressed, you should try adding exercise to your daily routine. Start your day by meditating so the rest of your day can be calm and peaceful.
6. Let Go Of Things You Cannot Control
Healthy people often have an existential crisis where they worry too much about things they cannot control. For cancer patients, fear and worries are intensified a thousand times. They are worried about their treatment, their family, future and so much more.
Focus on things you can control instead of things you cannot. The things you can control include the way you choose to live your life. For example, eating a healthy diet and keeping yourself busy with positive activities are some of the things you can do to keep a healthy state of mind.
7. Be Active
Who says that cancer patients should stay in bed all day? In fact, it is the worst thing you can do if you suffer from this illness. Staying in bed will not help your anxiety but worsen it. Lying in bed, and having nothing to do, will attract unwelcome thoughts.
Try to stay active. The only rule here is that the activity should be positive. For example, start painting. Painting is an excellent therapy that is advised by many doctors. Make a small garden in your backyard and keep yourself busy with it. If you love to read, buy all the books you love. The activity you choose depends on your interests and passion.
8. Keep a Journal
Another way to let your thoughts out is by writing them on a page. There is no better listener than you. You are the only one who can truly understand what you are going through, without any judgments. Keep a journal and write in it every day before going to bed.
When you write down your thoughts, it becomes easier for you to understand them. Sometimes, the things that are in your mind make better sense when they are on a piece of paper. You become better equipped to take control of your emotions.
Keep your health care team up to date so they can help you cope with the situation. Get well soon!
