6 Lifestyle Changes That Can Significantly Help You Recover From Cancer
Your lifestyle plays a crucial role in maintaining your health and wellness. People with cancer are no exception. If you are undergoing cancer treatment, adopting a few lifestyle changes can greatly improve your health. Changing a lifestyle is a life-long process. Small behavioural changes, in the long run, can bring a gigantic difference in the way you live your life. There are particular 6 lifestyle changes that can help cancer patients feel better and recover quicker. If you opt for the best cancer treatment in India, the topmost surgeons too will suggest you the same.
1. Do not shy away from asking for practical and emotional support:
Studies suggest that having supportive people around has a positive impact on a patient’s health. These patients have a better quality of life and they live longer. Patients undergoing cancer treatment especially need emotional support. Unfortunately, not all cancer patients have a strong pillar of practical and emotional support. Sometimes the biggest hindrance in getting support while undergoing cancer treatment is the patient’s approach. They shy away from asking for health. They should rather be open about sharing their emotions and should ask for help as and when required. There are plenty of support groups that will help you sail through the experience smoothly. In addition to that, it is all about to give and take. If you support others, others will support you too. So, be someone else’s support system and you will find the right people around you.
2. Learn to cope up with stress:
Stress is the biggest enemy of good physical and mental health. There are plenty of reasons why cancer patients go through an immense amount of stress. However, knowing this, they should adopt relaxation techniques, meditation and yoga to cope with stress. Be more mindful about your daily chores. Even if you can spare 20 minutes for meditation and relaxation, it will greatly contribute to your health.
3. Try to get enough and good quality sleep:
Sound sleep is important for the body to recover from any illness. It increases the body’s ability to cope with the treatment. You will be surprised to know that mood, weight control, memory and attention too are linked directly to the quality of sleep. It is essential for a cancer patient to get 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep every night. Fixing a bedtime routine will help you set a sleep cycle. Keeping the bedroom dark and cool, avoiding screen time and stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and sugar before going to bed can help you get good sleep.
4. Make exercise a part of your routine:
Surprising but true, exercise can help reduce fatigue caused by cancer treatment. It helps patients to manage weight gain and build the body’s strength. Cancer patients must exercise during and after cancer treatment. If possible, they should avoid sitting or lying down for a longer period. Rather they should find ways to walk and move around whenever they can. Cancer patients should fix a fitness routine for themselves and should stick to it. Aerobic exercises that help the heart to pump better is beneficial for cancer patients. They should also spend some time on strength exercise. Even while attending family events and travelling, cancer patients should never compromise with their exercise routine. Best cancer treatment hospitals in India have health care teams that help patients to develop an exercise plan which is best suitable for them.
5. Follow a healthy diet:
If you want to recover quickly from the illness and improve your health and wellness, you must follow a healthy diet. A healthy diet reduces the future risk of cancer. Cancer patients must give place to plenty of green veggies on their plate. Eating fibre rich food like whole grains, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds is highly beneficial for cancer patients. Probiotic foods like yoghurt, sauerkraut, fermented vegetables, pickles boost gut health. High-fibre and prebiotic food like chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, raw garlic, raw or cooked onions too help in improving immunity and overall health. Proteins are important for building the body’s strength. For protein intake prefer fish, poultry, plant-based proteins rather than eating red meat, beef, pork, lamb, veal and bison. Cancer patients should avoid processed meats like meats used in sandwiches, hotdogs, sausages, bacon and salami.
Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats are important for immunity. Olive and canola oils, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds and avocado are good sources of these nutrients.
One important tip to avoid nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment is eating in small portions. Eat when you feel hungry. If it is not your mealtime and yet you feel hungry, drink water first to check whether you are really hungry or not. Keep yourself far away from high-calorie foods like sodas, flavoured drinks, sweets and candies. Also try to eat less refined food as it removes fibre, vitamins and minerals from the food.
Drinking is a strict no-no in cancer. However, men can drink up to 2 alcoholic drinks every day. Women should avoid drinking more than 1 alcoholic drink per day.
6. Keep distance from environmental toxins:
Tobacco smoke, asbestos, styrene, formaldehyde, tetrachloroethylene are those environmental toxins that can increase your risk of cancer. One should try to limit exposure to such toxins while undergoing cancer treatment.
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