It's no secret that undergoing chemotherapy can be tough on your body. The treatment itself is designed to attack cancer cells, but it can also cause unwanted side effects, including fatigue, nausea, and hair loss.
It's essential to take care of yourself both during and after treatment, and that means more than just taking it easy. While relaxing is important, there are other self-care tips that can help make your journey a bit easier.
Why is Self Care Important During Cancer Treatment?
As humans, we are designed to heal ourselves. When we are sick or injured, our bodies go into repair mode, working hard to restore us to health.
Cancer, however, is a different story. Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can sometimes do more harm than good, leaving our bodies weak and exhausted. This is why self-care is crucial during cancer treatment.
Self-care allows us to take a break from the stress of cancer, to focus on restoring our own health and well-being. It can also help us feel more in control of our situation, and give us the strength to face whatever lies ahead.
1. Prepare for Chemo Days in Advance
Chemo days can be rough. And the days following treatment are often just as difficult. To make things a little easier on yourself, try to prepare for chemo in advance.
Do some light cleaning the day before treatment so you don't have to worry about it afterward. Make sure you have easy-to-prepare meals on hand so you don't have to cook when you're not feeling well. And most importantly, take some time for yourself before treatment to relax and recharge.
2. Get Plenty of Rest
It's important to get plenty of rest during and after chemotherapy. Fatigue is a common side effect of the treatment, so make sure you're getting enough sleep at night. And if you need to, take a short nap during the day as well. There's nothing wrong with winding down for a bit and taking it easy.
Having trouble sleeping? Try one of our community's top tips for sleeping or an easy 10 minute hypnosis!
3. Focus on Hydration
Chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, during and after treatment. And if you find that drinking fluids make your nausea worse, try drinking ice chips or sucking on ice pops.
Even those who don't experience GI side effects can become dehydrated from the treatment itself, so it's important to stay on top of your fluid intake.
Need an extra boost your hydration? Try adding supplements to your water for extra hydration
4. Don't Push Yourself Too Hard
Your body is already working hard to heal itself, so don't add additional stress by overdoing it. If you're feeling up to it, go for a light walk or do some gentle stretching. But if you're not feeling well, make sure to take it slow. In other words, let your body tell you what it can handle. And listen to it!
5. Eat Good, Nourishing Foods
Eating healthy foods is always important, but it's especially crucial during cancer treatment. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help your body to better withstand the side effects of chemotherapy. And if you're struggling with nausea, try eating smaller meals more often throughout the day.
6. Meditate or Pray
Mindfulness and prayer are two great ways to promote healing. Both practices can be done anywhere, at any time, and don't require any special equipment or training.
If you're not sure how to get started, there are plenty of resources available online. Apps like Calm are also an option, and they offer a variety of guided meditations to choose from.
Try Our Free 3 Minute Meditation here.
7. Ask Your Care Team for Symptom Management Tips
Depending on your chemotherapy regimen, you may experience uncomfortable side effects like diarrhea, constipation, or mouth sores. Talk to your care team about ways to manage these symptoms. They may be able to recommend medications or other strategies to help make you more comfortable.
8. Find Healthy Ways to Manage Stress
The stress of treatment is one of the invisible hurdles of cancer. It can be hard to cope with, but there are ways to manage it. Consider trying new relaxation techniques or creative outlets like painting or writing. Connect with others who are going through a similar experience, either in person or online.
9. Keep A Positive Mindset
There's power in mindset. When you approach chemotherapy with a positive attitude, you’re more likely to get through it feeling good. Of course, that's not to say that there won't be tough days. But by focusing on the good, you can make the bad days a little more bearable.
10. Seek out Support From Friends and Family
Friends and family can be great sources of support during and after treatment. Let them know how you're feeling and what they can do to help. And if you need some time alone, don't hesitate to ask for it. They're likely to be more than understanding.
11. Take Advantage of Other Available Resources
Support comes in many forms, and there's no shame in seeking professional help if you need it. If you're struggling to cope with your diagnosis or the side effects of treatment, consider talking to a therapist or counselor. They can offer guidance and support when you need it most.
Communities like OneVillage offer online communities of individuals going through similar issues. These can provide both emotional and informational support. Sometimes, it can be helpful to talk to someone who's been through it before.
