Finding Strength Through Hope, Habits, and Hobbies
Embrace positivity, stay active and carve out time for yourself as you navigate the challenges of cancer recovery.
Adjusting to life after a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Patients must manage treatment side effects, endure the anxiety of follow-up scans and manage fears of recurrence. While feelings of sadness, anger and anxiety are natural, it’s important to remember that these emotions will gradually ease as you learn how to handle unpleasant emotions and adjust to the new rhythm of life. Here are some tips to help you adapt to your new 'normal'.
Hope: Your Anchor Through the Storm
Hope is about embracing optimism and not letting negative thoughts take full control. As a coping mechanism, hope can empower you to leverage upon your strengths, adopt a positive mindset and keep going on.
You can cultivate hope by joining a support group or connecting with a faith-based community. Hearing the stories of fellow cancer patients can reduce feelings of isolation, as you realise others share the similar difficulties and intense emotions. You can also draw inspiration for new ideas that can help in your situation from fellow patients’ stories. Take the opportunity to share your feelings, connect with peers and set realistic goals. Examples of such goals include exercising for 20 minutes a day or improving your nutritional intake by eating smaller, more frequent meals.
Celebrating milestones, like completing chemotherapy, recognises your bravery, resilience and determination in managing cancer. These celebrations affirm your active role in your recovery journey.
On difficult days, be mindful of your inner dialogue — are you focusing on worst-case scenarios? Consider the spectrum of case scenarios and give it a try to shift those thoughts to more balanced and realistic thoughts. While it is normal that many cancer patients feel powerless, you can counter this by focusing on what you can control: attending follow-up appointments, staying informed about how cancer affects your body and learning about symptoms to watch for. These actions can help you feel more empowered and hopeful.
Habits: Keep Moving Forward
Staying active through daily routines can help shift your focus away from illness. Common side effects of chemotherapy, such as brain fog, nausea and fatigue, can lead to feelings of weakness and low self-esteem. Depending on your energy levels and with your doctor’s advice, try to incorporate exercise into your routine — aim for 150 minutes per week.
Choose activities you enjoy so that it’s easy to stick to them. If walking is your preference, start with a 20-minute walk around your neighbourhood, three times a week. On days when fatigue is particularly challenging and you’d rather stay indoors, it is okay to take a rest. Lack of movement can make fatigue worse, so try to pick up physical activity when you are able. Avoid sitting for too long; stand up and move around every hour. Regular physical activity can help counteract cancer-related fatigue by improving your mood, energy, appetite and sleep quality.
Hobbies: Rediscover Joy in the Little Things
Meeting your emotional needs is crucial for managing the demands of cancer treatment. Self-care offers relief from the overwhelming challenges of cancer by helping you focus on your needs, strengthening your inner resources and building resilience.
Self-care practices vary from individual to individual, but some of the most effective are simple actions that can be woven into your daily routine. Make it a priority to slow down and take time for activities you enjoy, such as rekindling a long-forgotten hobby. Create a list of books you’ve always wanted to read, experiment with new recipes, curate a photo album, or learn to draw and paint. These self-care practices can help you regain a sense of control and reduce anxiety. Give it a try — you may find joy and comfort in the process.
Finding Strength Through Hope, Habits, and Hobbies originally appeared on Parkway Cancer Centre
and has been republished with permission
Further Reading
The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
Please see your doctor for professional advice.