Managing Your Cancer During the Holidays
The holidays and everything that comes with it, from cleaning, shopping, planning gatherings, and spending time with friends and family, can be stressful at the best of times. Factor in cancer treatment, or the lasting effects of past cancer treatments, and normal holiday stress can become too much.
Here are some tips for making this season of cheer more manageable:
- Make time for yourself. Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the holiday season result in you sidelining your exercise routines. Exercise has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer and has been proven to benefit both your brain and body. If you already have an exercise routine, try your best to make time for it, or depending on your fatigue and fitness level, you can try sprinkling in mini-walks throughout your day.
- Know your limits and be gentle with your post-cancer self. It may be frustrating not being able to do as much as you used to, but try not to beat yourself up about it. You can consider shopping online instead of braving crowded shopping malls, or asking for help to put up your Christmas tree instead of doing it yourself. Pushing yourself too hard to operate at full capacity may backfire instead.
- Get enough rest as not getting enough sleep can leave you not only cranky and far more likely to catch a cold, but it also comes with more serious health ramifications such as being more susceptible to stroke, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. If you have trouble sleeping, consider cutting back on caffeine and limiting your screen time before bed.
- Beware of bugs and we aren’t talking about the creepy-crawly variety. Be sure to wash your hands, especially if you are hanging out with little ones. If you are in active treatment or are immunocompromised, you may want to mask up.
- Validate your feelings and take time to consider the difficulties you have gone through and overcome this year. It is okay if you don’t feel in the mood to celebrate or if your holiday is more low-key than others. If you have the energy to, you can try going out and experiencing things that bring you joy. It is okay if it is not 100% the same feeling, but give yourself the chance to have that enjoyment.
