We talked about Anxiety Management Strategies, and there are a lot of good ones to keep in mind.
1) Know your medical follow up plan. Know to to go to for answers.
2) Be informed - to a point. Don't google every last thing about your cancer - you will go crazy! Only look at reputable websites.
3) Focus on physical wellness strategies, like rest, diet and exercise.
4) Ensure you have authentic expression of feelings. If you are inauthentic, you carry the feelings of sadness or fear all on your own. Consider doing talk therapy, journalling, creative outlets etc. Don't neglect your emotional wellbeing.
5) Practice cognitive reframing. e.g: Change "there is nothing I can do" to "I am going to do everything I can to help myself." Find something to be grateful for in the midst of chaos.
6) Don't blame yourself for the cancer. Don't be responsible for your cancer, be responsible to your cancer. e.g.: What can I do now? Focus on quality of life (not length of life).
7) Learn relaxation/meditation/visualization. Relax your body and you will relax your mind.
8) Don't isolate yourself - find a community. e.g.: Wellspring
9) Patients involved in self-help activities life longer and better! Only 1% of the cancer population do self-help activities (like Wellspring programming). Take the active response - "What else can I do to help myself?"
10) Find meaning/purpose in your life (your new normal). What is most important? How do I want to spend my time? You can improve the quality of your life. Find new meaning in life after cancer. This could also include being of service to others, volunteering, etc.
11) Humour heals! Laugh a lot!
12) Be here now!
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