3 Dos And Don'ts For Resilient Mental Well-Being Amidst Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION:

Cancer can be a trying time in the lives of both patients and their loved ones.

 While it’s well-known that breast cancer affects your physical body, did you know that it can also take its toll on your mental health? Whether you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with this illness, there are ways to stay mentally resilient and maintain good mental well-being during the difficult process of coping with breast cancer. 

Here are three dos and don’ts to help you achieve resilience during this tough time, as well as advice from others who have been there before you.

1. Understand That Things Will Get Better

Your diagnosis can be shocking, even if you were expecting it. You may be angry, anxious, or feeling hopeless. 

The next few months may feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. But know that things will get better. Here are 3 dos and don’ts for resilient mental well-being amid breast cancer:

Do stay in contact with friends and family members who support you through difficult times - they will help to keep your spirits up. 

Do take care of yourself physically by eating well and exercising regularly - this will help you sleep better at night and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity which can worsen cancer treatments.

2. Accept Help From Others

Many people are not aware of the extent to which breast cancer can affect mental well-being. This is because cancer treatment, and recovery, is hard on the body, but also on the mind. 

Anyone who has been through breast cancer treatment will tell you that it's hard to find balance between your own needs and those of your friends and family. You may feel like you're constantly asking for help, or feeling guilty when you ask for help. Know that there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance from others when you need it. 

Don't Take On More Responsibility: If a close friend or relative asks if they can bring something over, take a walk with them, pick up groceries, make dinner etc., don't hesitate in accepting the offer! Breast cancer takes a lot out of all aspects of life - both physically and mentally - so be kind to yourself by allowing others to do things for you too.

3. Maintain A Strong Support System

It's important to maintain a strong support system, one that will help you be resilient during the difficult times. This may come from friends and family, or from other breast cancer patients that are going through the same thing as you.

 Whether you're looking for information, emotional support or just someone who understands what you're feeling and knows how to handle it with you, it's important to find those people. It can also be helpful to do things on your own and practice resilience by being proactive about your health or keeping up with treatments.

 But don't forget about taking care of yourself too! One way to show this is by learning about healthy coping strategies and ways of self-care so that when the tough times happen, we're equipped with tools for managing them well.