Healthy Activity for Coping with Cancer

Being diagnosed with cancer and going through various treatments does not always mean the affected has to lose every enjoyable aspect of their life before cancer. Of course, there will be changes, but keeping an active lifestyle is an ideal way for those affected by cancer to get through what is sure to be an extremely difficult time in their lives. There are cancers with notably lower survival rates such as pancreatic cancer and pleural mesothelioma and people with these diseases especially need to concentrate on how to motivate themselves through this time.

For some, an activity as simple as taking a daily walk through the park or around the block will be enough. This time spent outside will break the monotony of the treatments, and can even help to get concerned and caring family members to back off a bit, and allow the patient the ability to have a few moments of peace. These daily walks can help to keep in shape, and will substitute for a substantial workout, which not everyone will be up to after rounds of treatment and the changes that their bodies will be experiencing. Fresh air will be a good way for people to get the sights and smells of hospitals and clinics out of their minds, and help them to focus on other things.

For those that are a little more resistant to giving up their pleasures, golfing is another alternative to simply sitting in the house and totally changing a lifestyle. Perhaps an 18 hole round is not the best idea, but golfing nine holes once or twice a week is a distracting - and relaxing - activity for patients of all ages. For those not quite up to playing an actual round of golf, a driving range can be used to vent a bit of frustration, or even just to work on shots and skills between trips to the course.

Aside from keeping muscles and joints in use, and getting a patient outside, walking and golfing are good ways to help clear a person's mind, and relax - even if only for a few minutes. Although various treatment methods will be fighting cancerous cells inside the body, it is important for people to remain as otherwise fit and healthy as possible. Exercising the lungs, muscles, and even the minds of patients is an important step in the treatment process, and helps people realize that although there is a fight going on, they do not have to simply sit back and accept it. Their lives can continue, and these activities will give patients the ability to spend time with loved ones doing familiar things, or even take some time for themselves if they choose to. People cope with things in different ways, but trying to stay as healthy as possible in order to continue the fight is one of the most important things for cancer patients to do.
If staying active isn’t enough there are also support groups for people with all types of cancer. There are many breast cancer, liver cancer, and even mesothelioma support groups both in-person and online.

No matter what way cancer use exercise is it important to stay motivated and active through this challenge.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She became particularly interested in ways cancer patients can cope with the side-effects of their treatment after her mother became an oncology nurse for lung cancer.