Keeping Your Mind and Body Strong During Breast Cancer Treatment: 4 Tips for Survivors
“How could this happen to me? What am I going to do? What will people think of me?”
A million different questions play over and over in my mind! We never think about breast cancer being something that can happen to us. We all know of, or have heard of someone that has this disease.
Below you will find some healthy actions to consider with a breast cancer diagnosis that got me through my treatment journey and beyond. If you aren’t yourself diagnosed, these are helpful for keeping in mind to support a loved one going through it.
Breast cancer is a disease that not only affects your body but also your mental wellness. It was so important for me to maintain a healthy mindset from the moment I received my diagnosis, though not always easy to do.
For some, depression, anxiety and generally, a whole lot of uncertainty come into the mix. And yes, these are some of the ups and downs that I did experience with the journey of breast cancer.
I realized that this was happening NOW and how I handled this challenge would shape my quality of life going forward. My plan of action would shape my entire experience with this disease that does not come with a guaranteed outcome, an instant cure, no expectations and definitely not a handbook of what was coming next.
I don’t know about you, but I like to be in control of everything in my life. At this point that plan was out the door. I didn’t know what my day-to-day would be, how I would feel or really much of anything.
But I did know one fact: I was in control of my happiness as well as my mental health.
Photo by @lifethroughpam, Pam Muhart
MEDITATION
I quickly started a daily routine that helped my body and mind stay calm. Upon rising, I would immediately read something that was positive and resonated with me. Affirmations, a daily word, or a passage from one of my favorite books. I dwelled on what I read, closed my eyes, relaxed, took deep breaths and sat still for as long as I could.
Photo by @lifethroughpam, Pam Muhart
Each day was different but every day it brought me more peace of mind. I will be honest– I still cried if I needed to because I learned that it was ok to release, feel and honor your emotions.
Meditation was and has been my saving grace since my first DCIS breast cancer diagnosis in 2018, my second diagnosis in 2019, and up until this day. I grew to learn that meditation came in the form of singing, gardening and cooking for me, too. Yes, these were all things that I loved to do and when I did them it was like I was lost in time and space. I had no cares in the world when I did these activities and they helped me to forget the treatments and everything that was wrapped up in this life change.
Every day I did my morning meditation and if I had the energy to sing my heart out, cook and garden, I took advantage of the opportunity.
YOGA AND EXERCISE
I’m a type 2 diabetic and I was also born with adrenal disease where my body fails to produce enough cortisol. I no longer had the strength to continue my 5-day HIIT workout routine and this made me sad as I love to work out.
Photo by @lifethroughpam, Pam Muhart
But there was an alternative. I was a huge fan of yoga and once a certified yoga instructor. This was my other tool that I would put to work for as many days as possible. Yoga, as I had previously learned in school, helped me to release stress, provided me with breathwork, healed my body and organs, brought me peace, increased flexibility and assisted with rebuilding my energy. In yoga, I found gratitude as it provided me with a form of physical activity that was gentle on my body.
I wasn’t a doctor and I’m still not, but I had figured out the most important things that I needed to help me through this challenge. If you’re facing similar circumstances, I encourage you to visit YouTube which has many great videos on yoga. I use the Peloton app frequently to practice yoga, too.
YouTube is also a great resource for guided meditations. The app, Headspace, is great if you are new to meditation. If all else fails, I encourage you to search the internet to find the teacher or guide that resonates for you.
Remember, there are meditative qualities to pursuing the activities that you are passionate about. Your mental health is in your control but you have to initiate your personal game plan, only you.
TALK ABOUT IT
The last thing to consider is that you may like to talk to a licensed counselor or therapist, seek out support groups (I’m in a great one on Facebook), talk to your close friends and family members and be open to receiving help when it is offered.
It may be tough at times but you can find a place of peace and get through this. Know that you can.
Photo by @lifethroughpam, Pam Muhart
DAWN FREEMAN
CONTRIBUTOR
Simply With Dawn Health and Wellness Coaching I have a certification in health coaching that I obtained in 2012 from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which prompted me to start my own health coaching business Simply With Dawn. I am also a two time breast cancer survivor and this elevated my passion to provide education and knowledge in reference to breast cancer, diabetes and overall health and wellness. In my spare time I enjoy singing, doing yoga, strength training and cycling.
Please Note: I’m not a mental health professional. If you’re experiencing severe anxiety or depression, please reach out to your medical team. All content and information on this website including my programs, products and/or services is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical, psychological or health advice of any kind and I do not warrant that the information presented herein is free of any errors or omissions. I am not providing medical, health care, nutrition therapy or coaching services to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any kind of physical ailment, mental or medical condition.
Opinions expressed by the identified author in this blog post are their own and may not represent the views of the Keep A Breast Foundation or its management. Information found on the KAB website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You are advised to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
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