8 Tips On Self-Care For Cancer Patients And Their Caretakers

Here are Dr. Singhal’s tips for maintaining your own physical and emotional well-being during this stressful time.

Self-care with cancer is often neglected in all cancer-related discussions, but Dr. Shymali Singhal always stresses it’s importance to her patients. Self-care crucially contributes to cancer patients overall sense of well-being, health, and recovery. Battling cancer is a lot of work, and it’s very important to take a little bit of time to focus on yourself. Self-care is a great way of managing your stress levels. Take this as your invitation to prioritize yourself.

Here are seven simple ways to practice self-care with cancer.

Take Care Of Yourself

The intense and prolonged nature of distress associated with caregiving puts caregivers at risk for developing medical problems,says Dr. Shymali Singhal. "It's vital that we take best possible care of your body," says Dr. Singhal. "Exercise, eat well, and- despite all the challenges- get enough sleep."

Caregivers are encouraged to take an honest look at their current coping strategies. Are you skipping exercise or relying on alcohol to ease your stress? The beginning of your caregiving journey is the best time to put in place strategies that will give you the energy and emotional health to weather the challenges ahead.

Attend To Your Skin, Hair And Nails

Dr. Singhal has gathered years of experience working with cancer patients, and she knows that skin, hair, and nails are often damaged by the harsh chemicals of chemotherapy. By taking care of those seemingly less important issues, we promote recovery and aid in patients battle against cancer.

Skin is our biggest organ, and the state it’s in reflects on the entire body. Dr. Singhal recommends using Lindi Body Wash, formulated for cancer patients.

Hair is often made brittle, fragile and weak by the chemo. To replenish the hair and strengthen the follicles Dr. Singhal has selected  Mild Conditioning Shampoo  as the perfect product for these problems.

For nail problems, Dr. Singhal recommends 7 in 1 Elixir Nail Treatment , also by Chemo Companions.

Start Writing A Journal

Some cancer patients find that writing in a cancer journal is extremely helpful. Having space to record your thoughts and worries can help to calm your mind and lower your stress levels. Putting your thoughts on paper might also help in organizing your thoughts and help you focus, which can be a problem for cancer patients during and after chemotherapy.

Eat Well And Healthy

What and how you eat is always important, even more so during chemotherapy. Eating well with cancer is a challenge. With all the energy and time it takes to cope with specific side effects, it’s hard to keep up with a smart eating plan. Certain foods can help ease some of the specific discomforts that come with cancer treatment. Conquer constipation by drinking water and eating high-fiber foods like beans, lentils, vegetables, and fresh or dried fruit. Diarrhea can be defeated with bland foods such as rice, bananas, and apples. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Surround Yourself With Loved Ones

Make the time for the people you care about and who care about you. Dr. Singhal knows how important and fulfilling it is to visit with your friends and family. “We sometimes go through life worrying about insignificant things which don’t matter.”, said Dr. Singhal.  “Cancer can be viewed as a blessing in disguise, making you appreciate life more.”

Seek Help

Ask for help during your cancer journey. Reach out to people. “Don’t be frightened to ask for help,” said Dr. Singhal. “Accept all offers of help,” she said. “Especially when it comes to accepting meals. Don’t try to be a martyr or think you can do it all yourself. Just take it easy and make the most of any help that is offered to you.” And if you’re finding it difficult to request what you need, confide in a close friend or loved one and ask them to help you coordinate efforts between your friends and family. Sometimes it’s easier to leave the organizing to someone else, and your community will appreciate knowing exactly what – and how – you need to be supported.

Invest Yourself In Hobbies

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to mark the end of all your hobbies. Think about what you love to do, and make time for it. Could you bring your knitting to an appointment? Or spend some time reading every day? Share your priorities with your friends and family so that they can help you to schedule activities that are meaningful to you.

Love And Treat  Yourself With Kindness

However the way you do it, taking the time to care for yourself is an important part of well-being and recovery. Self-care during cancer isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessary part of your happiness and health.

Enjoy the process of finding out what feels nice to you, and then ask for the support you need to incorporate those activities into your daily routine. Remember: you matter, and your needs matter, even as you’re managing a cancer diagnosis.
And if you’re caring for a loved one with cancer, speak with them about self-care. Ask them how they’d like to enjoy calming, caring activities in their day-to-day lives. And then, help them to realize these goals.