Living with a Cancer Diagnosis: Basic Tips for Enjoying Life
A cancer diagnosis brings various feelings and issues, but it doesn’t mean one must stop living a meaningful life. Many people find new strengths and joy as they change. Here are simple steps for enjoying life despite a cancer diagnosis.
1. Focus on Now with Mindfulness
Why It Matters: The mind thinks about future fears in uncertain times. Mindfulness, or being present in the moment, can help reduce anxiety and improve daily enjoyment.
How to Start: Try basic actions like concentrating on your breath or enjoying tea without distractions. These moments can enhance mental clarity and resilience, providing a break from future worries.
2. Change Goals and Purpose
Why It Matters: Setting personal, even minor, goals can create purpose and control. These goals do not need to be big—small successes can bring satisfaction.
How to Start: Consider learning something new, like painting or writing, or aiming to go outside daily. Find joyful goals. These objectives can be daily wins that promote positivity and looking ahead.
3. Value Relationships
Why It Matters: Bonds with family, friends, and the community are essential for happiness, especially in tough times. Strong connections offer emotional support and shared experiences that make life richer.
How to Start: Plan regular calls or meet-ups, even for brief chats. For those far away, consider virtual meet-ups or activities together online. Simple connections help maintain a helpful support system.
4. Stay Active with Suitable Exercise
Why It Matters: Physical activity benefits mood and energy. Exercise can improve sleep, reduce stress, and help with pain.
How to Start: Gentle activities like walking, stretching, or yoga are beneficial. Talk to your doctor about creating an exercise plan that suits your abilities. This personalized strategy can help you feel better physically and mentally.
5. Express Yourself through Creativity
Why It Matters: Creative activities help express feelings, manage stress, and provide a sense of achievement. Art, writing, and music are good tools for handling emotions and enhancing life.
How to Start: Try journaling, drawing, or learning an instrument. Finding a creative hobby allows for personal expression. These activities can become enjoyable routines, offering a mental escape.
6. Get Help for Mental Health
Why It Matters: Mental well-being is as crucial as physical health, especially with a cancer diagnosis. Therapy or counseling can help manage stress and emotional challenges.
How to Start: A licensed therapist can guide you through challenging feelings. Additionally, joining a support group or practicing meditation can help create balance and peace of mind.
7. Show Compassion to Yourself and Others
Why It Matters: Kindness can lessen stress, build connections, and promote inner peace. Being gentle with yourself is key during hard times.
How to Start: Consider small acts of kindness or positive thoughts daily. Self-compassion exercises, like kind self-talk or focusing on gratitude, can boost spirits. Helping others can also bring a sense of purpose.
— ### 8. Stay Curious with New Hobbies
Why It Matters: Learning new things keeps your mind active, helps mental health, and gives a feeling of success. Hobbies can be a nice break for the mind, leading to happiness and self-discovery.
How to Start: Pick a new hobby that interests you, such as gardening, cooking, or photography. Starting with easy steps can create fun habits and improve daily life.
9. Nourish Your Body with a Balanced Diet
Why It Matters: Good nutrition is important for energy, the immune system, and mood. A balanced diet can help your body better manage treatments and support overall health.
How to Start: Talk to a dietitian to make a meal plan that suits your needs. Eating foods that make you feel good can enhance your mood and energy.
10. Cultivate Gratitude
Why It Matters: Being grateful helps to shift focus from fears to meaningful things in life. This practice can promote a more positive view, useful in tough times.
How to Start: Write in a gratitude journal daily or think about a few good things each day. Sharing these moments with family can increase feelings of connection and positivity.
11. Plan for the Future with Flexibility
Why It Matters: Making plans for the future that allow for changes lets people prepare without stressing about uncertainty. Plans can be guides instead of strict rules, reducing worry.
How to Start: Talk with family about finances, healthcare choices, or caregiving. Knowing these issues are settled can help you relax and stay focused on the present.
12. Build a Support Community
Why It Matters: Being part of a community helps lessen loneliness and provides shared understanding, which is very comforting during hard times.
How to Start: Join cancer support groups in person or online to connect with those who understand your situation. Being with others facing similar issues provides companionship and can inspire new ideas.
13. Find Humor and Laughter in Daily Life
Why It Matters: Laughter can help reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Finding humor can improve mood and emotional well-being.
How to Start: Watch a funny show, listen to a comedy podcast, or read a humorous book. Laughter reminds us of life’s lighter moments and can help you relax.
14. Travel, Even if It’s Just Local
Why It Matters: Exploring new places, even nearby, can offer new views and bring fun and relaxation. Travel doesn’t need to be far or extensive to be fulfilling.
How to Start: Check out local parks, museums, or favorite places in your area. These small trips can provide adventure and joy without much energy or travel.
15. Give Back: Volunteering and Mentoring
Why It Matters: Assisting others creates a sense of purpose and can build a meaningful legacy. Giving back strengthens bonds with people.
How to Start: Volunteer, mentor, or simply help others in small ways. Little acts of kindness can leave a lasting effect.
16. Celebrate Your Accomplishments
Why It Matters: Acknowledging achievements, big or small, boosts resilience and positivity. Celebrating progress, from treatment milestones to personal goals, can lift spirits.
How to Start: Celebrate each achievement with a small reward. Noticing these moments can give you a new perspective and motivate you for what’s next.
17. Document Your Journey Keeping a log of experiences supports reflection and shows growth. It can also be an excellent way to cope.
How to Begin: You can journal or make a photo book. Documenting experiences helps with thinking back and creates a special memento.
Conclusion
It is doable to live fully with a cancer diagnosis by adopting habits that focus on well-being and joy. Each day brings chances to bond with others, pursue interests, and acknowledge growth. With an active and optimistic mindset, living meaningfully and enjoying life’s moments is achievable.
About The Author
Ronald Bissell
Dr. Ronald Bissell is a retired surgeon, author of 6 books on Personal and Spiritual Growth, writer of numerous articles and facilitator of workshops. He has been giving talks to help people with life-threatening diseases for the past 10 years. After three years of chemotherapy he recently had a bone marrow transplant to treat Multiple Myeloma. His work now involves helping others with life-threatening diseases as well as teaching people how to live their best lives without fear or anxiety.
