Categories: Cancer Diagnosis

Lifestyle Changes After Your Cancer Diagnosis

Getting a cancer diagnosis can have a profound impact on the way you approach your health and well-being. Living a healthy lifestyle provides support for cancer treatments and it generally helps patients to feel better. Establishing healthier lifestyle habits can also have a positive effect on your long-term health.

How lifestyle changes can help when battling cancer

Anyone can make positive changes to their behavior that improves their quality of life. New habits eventually become part of a person's daily routine if they stick to it for around a month. Here are some of the most impactful lifestyle changes people who are dealing with cancer can make:

Get emotional support

Having a network of people who understand what you are going through and are supportive goes a long way when getting cancer treatments. Studies indicate that cancer patients who have social support tend to live longer than those who do not.

Here are some tips for those looking to build a support system:

Find a support group, there are many resources available online
Ask people you are comfortable with for help
Offer support to others going through the same thing. You can serve as each other's support system

Keep stress under control

Feeling stressed out can make it harder for a person to maintain their physical and mental health. Stress can be managed by using relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga, taking time to reflect or meditate periodically during the day and spend at least 20 minutes each day working on reducing your stress levels.

Get adequate sleep

Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night improves your mood, metabolism, memory, coping ability and health. An easy trick that can help to get quality sleep is sticking to a specific bedtime all week long. Try sleeping in a dark, cool room and avoid staring at screens, like televisions or smartphones, right before bed. Taking a stimulant can affect a person's ability to fall asleep so avoid items like coffee and sugar close to bedtime.

Exercise often

Regular exercise can help to reduce fatigue and weight gain. It can also help to increase physical strength which can be impacted by cancer treatments like radiation therapy. People who are dealing with cancer should avoid long periods of inactivity when awake. Cancer patients can get the most out of their workouts by:

Developing a workout plan that contains aerobic activity
Adding strength training to your routine
Incorporating physical activities into events with friends and family
Having short exercise sessions throughout the day

Eat a balanced diet

A healthy diet can help to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, improve recovery and it makes you healthier. Here are some simple ways to ensure your diet contains all the nutrients you need:

Add vegetables to every meal. Veggies should be the main part of your meal, not just a side item
Consume fiber-rich foods regularly
Eat foods that contain prebiotics and probiotics to keep your digestive system healthy
Consume less red meat
Avoid processed meats like bacon and salami
Consume fatty fish at least two times per week. They are good sources of omega-3 acids
Eat smaller portions
Avoid high-calorie foods