Healthy Behaviors: Suggestions
Talk to your health care team about what diet and exercise plan are best for your recovery needs:
You must discuss any changes in your diet or exercise plan with a member of your health care team before you start. You can, however, read about healthy behaviors and bring a list of questions and healthy behaviors you are thinking about to your next check-up appointment. Discuss what you learn from these resources with a member of your health care team, and see if they are accurate and provide helpful information for you during your survivorship.
- Write down what you eat and drink for a week, including any nutritional supplements and herbal products. Bring this information if you visit a nutritionist. Nutritionists can be found through a local hospital or care center. Many cancer centers now have nutritionists who can discuss your food choices with you. This may be a free service at your care center or local hospital.
- Before developing an exercise plan, discuss with your health care team what exercises, if any, would be good for you. After you understand what exercises are good for your recovery needs, you may want to consult either a physical therapist or a fitness expert at a local fitness center.
Establish some long-term goals and also set realistic and specific short-term goals to include more healthy behaviors in your life:
Once you start thinking about how to improve your level of stress, nutritional state and fitness level, you can feel overwhelmed, especially if you were not concerned about these issues prior to your cancer. It is important to be realistic. If you and your health care team decide that you should try to exercise more, you may want to start by just becoming more physically active throughout the day rather then resting. You can then begin to gradually increase your activity.
Your long-term goal may be to walk a mile in six months, but a short-term goal may be to walk a block within two weeks. Your short-term goals can be changed as you meet them in order to reach your long-term goals.
Explore the different ways you can manage stress in your daily life:
Some of these activities may help you manage stress:
- Walking around your neighborhood or a park
- Getting a massage
- Practicing breathing and relaxation techniques
- Practicing yoga
- Talking to friends and family
- Talking with a professional therapist
- Attending a support group
- Making time for hobbies and things you enjoy
- Asking for help with daily activities such as housework, errands, cooking
- Writing in a journal
- Listening to music
- Reading
- Watching your favorite TV show or movie
|
Email this story
