New Year's Resolutions for Cancer Patients
It’s a new year, and time to reflect on our goals and ambitions for the upcoming season… yet it feels like a bizarre and impossible task when doing so amid the mental and physical drain of cancer treatments. And yet… NOT making New Year’s resolutions when it feels like everyone in the world is listing their lofty goals for the year ahead feels like just one more way cancer patients might feel left out of an annual rite of passage.
Of course, there’s absolutely no shame in ‘calling an audible’ and skipping resolution making this year for anyone! But if you are undergoing cancer treatment and are looking for logical, achievable, valuable goals for the year ahead, here are some ideas to get you started:
- Practice self-care: Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally draining, so it's important to prioritize self-care and do things that help you feel good about yourself. This could include exercise, relaxation techniques, or finding activities that bring you joy. The most important thing is to be honest about what you find joyful right now - whether it’s indulging in the upcoming season of Emily in Paris, treating yourself to an elaborate coffee drink, or reading the latest Pulitzer Prize winning novel, #SelfCare means feeding yourself with activities that you genuinely find joyful.
- Make more connections: Having a strong support network can be incredibly important during cancer treatment. Consider reaching out to friends and family members or joining a cancer support group to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. There’s no trophy for suffering in silence – connecting with a reliable support network is one of the best ways to support yourself and your recovery.
- Get enough rest: Make sure to get enough sleep to help your body recover from cancer treatments. Healthy sleep habits can bring lifelong benefits including but not limited to improved mood, mental clarity, decision making, memory and creativity. We love all the little extras in our Rest & Recovery kits that promote quality rest.
- Drink more water: There's no doubt about it - one of the most frequent refrains Cancer patients hear from their care teams is to STAY HYDRATED. If you’re looking for an achievable new year’s resolution that’s concurrently great for cancer patients, increasing your water intake is a great option. We love our stainless steel 20 ounce double-insulated tumblers with reusable straws. They keep liquids icy cold or piping hot for hours on end. The skinny form factor makes them easy to hold and fit in almost any drink holder. You can find stainless steel tumblers in ALL of the Optimal Chemo Care Boxes, Anti-Nausea Box, and the Tremendous Rest & Recovery Box.
Ultimately, the most important new year's resolution for a cancer patient is to prioritize their own well-being and do what is best for them. Remember, it's okay to set small, achievable goals. The most important thing is to focus on taking care of yourself and finding what works best for you.
Happy New Year!
