Taking time to focus on yourself while managing metastatic breast cancer may seem like a tall order, but doing so can help you in many ways.
Living with metastatic breast cancer can feel like a full-time job. You have doctors to visit, tests to take, and treatments to undergo. Plus, some treatments, like chemotherapy, can occupy you for hours at a time.
If you’re also trying to fit your job into the mix and accomplish daily chores like cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping, you can wind up with very little time for yourself. And the time that you do have left may be delegated to sleep, given the exhaustion that cancer and its treatments can cause.
It might seem impossible to focus on yourself right now, but it’s important. Taking time out for what you enjoy and nurturing yourself will give you more energy to manage cancer.
Here are seven tips to help you find a sense of balance in your life while you’re being treated for metastatic breast cancer.
Focusing on diet and nutrition is important in general, but it’s especially important when you’re being treated for breast cancer. You need a healthy
Sometimes your treatments can make it more
If you’re having difficulty getting through breakfast, lunch, and dinner, trade those three big meals for smaller
Some examples include peanut butter and crackers, ice cream, nuts, nutritional drinks, and granola bars.
In the past, doctors advised those with metastatic breast cancer to rest, but not anymore. Research increasingly finds that staying active can help beat cancer-related fatigue and boost overall quality of life.
Staying active is also an effective way to cope with the stress and anxiety that can come from living with metastatic cancer. Exercise might even improve memory issues from chemotherapy, such as difficulty with learning and memory — known as “chemo brain.”
Tailor your exercise program to your energy level and availability. If you’re busy with treatment during the day, set aside just 10 minutes in the morning to walk. Then do 10 minutes of strengthening, stretching, or yoga in the afternoon. Squeeze in longer exercise sessions when you have time.
Take it slow and listen to your body. If the cancer has spread to your bones, you’ll probably have to avoid high impact exercises like running or jumping to prevent fractures. Instead, try low impact programs like walking, pedaling a stationary bike, or doing tai chi.
Before you start to work out, ask your doctor which exercises are safe for you. If you ever feel dizzy, out of breath, or in pain, stop right away.
Metastatic breast cancer doesn’t just affect your body. It can also have an influence on your emotions, leading to extreme anxiety, stress, and worry.
Don’t try to get through this alone. Make an appointment with a therapist who specializes in working with people who have late-stage cancer. Therapy comes in several forms, including one-on-one sessions or family and group counseling. Choose the type that feels most comfortable to you.
You can also take part in a support group for people with metastatic breast cancer. Support groups meet frequently in hospitals, community centers, places of worship, or private homes. In these groups, you’ll meet other people who’ve been through similar experiences. They’ll share tips on how they deal with cancer and the side effects of treatment and offer encouragement as you go through your own cancer journey.
Sleep is the perfect antidote to a stressful day of treatment. But many people with breast cancer experience fatigue, insomnia, or other problems with sleeping. Factors like pain and anxiety can interrupt your nightly rest.
If you can’t sleep, try doing a relaxation technique before bed. Meditate, read a book, or take a warm bath to calm your mind. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and comfortable while trying to sleep.
Worries about cancer can dominate your mind. One way to clear your thoughts is by meditating for a few minutes each day.
Meditation is a way to focus on your breathing. One form of the practice is called mindfulness meditation, where you steer your awareness to the present moment. As thoughts pass through your mind, acknowledge them, but don’t dwell on them.
Meditation slows your breathing and heart rate and triggers the release of pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins. Meditating regularly can help:
- boost your mood
- improve concentration
- reduce depression and anxiety
- relieve nausea and other cancer treatment side effects
- boost your immune system
If you can’t sit still long enough to meditate, try tai chi or yoga. These active forms of meditation combine deep breathing and focus with slow, gentle movements.
With so much of your time being given to cancer appointments, there isn’t much left for your daily responsibilities.
See if you can leave the day-to-day work — like cleaning, cooking, and child and pet care — to someone else. Ask a friend, neighbor, partner, or close family member to step in and take over these chores for you.
So much stress, frustration, and sadness can go into living with metastatic cancer. Try to let some joy into your life. Nurture yourself. Don’t stop doing the things that you loved to do before your diagnosis.
Visit an art museum, see a funny movie, or stroll through a botanical garden. Let your partner or friends treat you to a spa day or dinner. For whatever time you can spare, try to live in the now and not worry about the future.
When you’re managing metastatic breast cancer, it may seem difficult to achieve a sense of balance. But finding time for the things you enjoy and practicing self-care can help you feel more like yourself while also giving you more energy to face cancer head-on.