It’s important to make your experience less overwhelming

One can never imagine how it feels to be diagnosed with breast cancer until you find yourself in that dreaded situation. A breast cancer patient may feel hopeless, doomed, or also hopeful. She could go through myriad emotions and the last thing she would need to hear are words that are insensitive, condescending, or lacking in empathy.

While it is incomparable to what a breast cancer patient may be going through, the feelings and wellbeing of family members must not be neglected. After all, the big C affects the entire family in many aspects that involve mental, emotional, physical, and financial.

If you are someone who is caring for someone who has breast cancer, remember that you need to be whole first before you can take care of someone, even if most of the time, you seem to have no choice at all. Nobody plans to get cancer or be with someone who has cancer, therefore you have to take care of your wellbeing, as well as that of your sick family member.

To lighten up your burden, here are three ways to support someone with breast cancer while also taking care of your own wellbeing

Eat healthy. Instead of being the patient’s food police, why don’t you begin to encourage healthy meal times? You yourself will benefit from including whole foods and plant sources from fruits for snacks and desserts, vegetable dishes and smoothies, whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and oats, nuts and seeds. Breast cancer patients must go on a plant-based way of eating. That simply means consuming animal products minimally. It would also help both of you if you make sure that food that is laden with calories, fat, and sugar will not be made available at home. Having these treats around will just lead to both of you giving in to temptation.

Encourage physical activity. Cancer cells thrive in areas that are not well oxygenated. Exercise is the most efficient way to get your blood circulation going and to oxygenate the cells in the body. It would be of great help if you can join your loved one during exercise or simply just taking a walk, even if inside the house. Consider the patient’s energy level. Staying physically active will stimulate your body to produce mood-stabilizing hormones that will help you cope with stress. After all, taking care of a sick person is not a walk in the park.

Engage in spiritual and relaxation activities. Oxidative stress in the body plays a role in the development and progression of cancer. Any form of stress like physical, emotional, and mental will surely make the body produce pro-inflammatory chemicals that cause oxidative stress. It also compromises the immune system, the first line of defense against cancer cells. It is vital to calm the mind and heart both for the patient and caregiver. Prayer, meditation, mindful breathing, listening to calming music or praise songs, reading, guided imagery, coloring or painting, and journaling are some of the activities that will give both patient and caregiver the chance to rest and recover.

Dealing with cancer and the treatments are on their own overwhelming for both patient and the family. Instead of just focusing on the disease, consider these tips to promote quality of life while battling the big C with your sick loved one.