Coping With A Diagnosis Of Cancer

Dealing with a diagnosis of cancer can feel devastating. Many people often feel a jumble of emotions all at once - shock, anger, fear, and confusion are all normal ways to feel after you've received your diagnosis. How we deal with the news that we have cancer will make a tremendous difference in terms of our mental health; eating healthy food, getting plenty of rest and exercise, talking with others who are or have been in our situation, and educating ourselves are all things that can make a very big difference.

Resist the temptation to let your eating habits head south after you've been diagnosed. We can sometimes overload on desserts or fast food during very stressful times, but this coping mechanism generally backfires when we feel crabby, bloated, and sick as a result of eating foods high in fat and sugar. Do your best to eat healthy, balanced meals, as what we eat can make a tremendous difference on our mood and our overall mental health.

Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep each night! You will likely be pushed to your limits and beyond during this time, so make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep a night, and more if you need it. Being well rested will be especially important during this stressful time. Likewise, regular exercise can help to combat low levels of anxiety and depression and can help improve your concentration. You will need to be in the best possible state of mind during this time, and enough sleep and exercise can help you get there.

Talking with other people who have been in your shoes will likely provide a source of comfort to you, as well as an opportunity to vent your frustrations, angers, and fears. You will doubtless also learn useful information from fellow cancer patients, such as ways to reduce nausea from chemotherapy, etc. If you live in a large community, there are likely several cancer support groups that meet on a weekly or monthly basis, and you may even be able to find one specific to your type of cancer. You can find out information about such groups online.

Make sure you educate yourself about the things that you need to know as a person diagnosed with cancer. Talk with your doctors and specialists and get their recommendations on useful books to read and websites to visit. Make sure to only visit reputable sites, as misinformation could cause unnecessary stress and panic. For this reason, ask your medical professionals for their advice on educational books and websites.

Coping with a diagnosis of cancer can be both emotionally and physically daunting. Taking certain steps, such as making sure you are taking care of your sleep and nutritional needs, will be helpful. Get to know others who have been diagnosed, as they are likely to be a source of comfort for you. Learn all you can about your disease. And above all, be gentle with yourself!