Stress Management
It can be difficult to control the amount of stress you are under especially when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. However, you can do things to reduce the damaging effects of stress and help your body manage it more effectively.
The research has become clear that being under chronic stress can increase cancer risk. Chronic stress promotes cancer development, progression, and therapy resistance because it releases powerful hormones, suppresses the immune system, and increases low-grade internal inflammation. That’s why stress management is so essential when going through treatment and beyond.
Fortunately, there are several strategies that people diagnosed with cancer and cancer survivors can use to help manage stress and lessen the toll chronic stress can take on the body including:
- Be sure to have social support and feel connected to others.
- Consistent physical activity and movement.
- Meeting with a mental health counselor.
- Using mind-body approaches like deep breathing, meditation, or guided imagery.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Spending time in nature.
- Focusing on getting enough sleep because lack of sleep and increased stress go hand-in-hand.
- Consider taking anti-anxiety nutrients such as L-theanine, magnesium, or lemon balm.
Chronic stress can take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Inserting health-supporting stress management strategies into your regular routine will help.
