Learning to relax
Reviewed: Annie Angle, cancer nurse (Dip. Oncology Nursing, Royal Marsden, London)
If you have cancer, or are caring for someone with cancer, you probably have many worries and fears. This information discusses ways to relax and feel that you're coping better.
Cancer can bring many problems and anxieties. You may be trying to deal with cancer treatment and its side effects. You may also be worrying about money or your job, or trying to cope with a family. People often find that their usual ways of coping are no longer enough.
It's quite normal to feel tense, fearful or even angry. But there are ways to manage and relax.
How do people react?
Some people become short-tempered, overactive or lose all their energy. They can't sit still or eat. Other people become tired, and feel as if they're thinking in a fog. Either way, it can be hard to think clearly and logically.
You may feel anxious or depressed. Feeling you're not coping may make it worse. Tension can cause headaches, stomachaches, sore back and shoulders, indigestion and difficulty sleeping. Over a long time, anxiety and tension can make people exhausted and physically ill. You may even become depressed.
What can you do?
Whether you have cancer yourself or are caring for someone with cancer, it makes sense to take good care of yourself. Eat well, get enough rest and pamper yourself occasionally. It's possible to learn how to cope with tension and a feeling of panic.
There's no ‘right answer'. Different methods work for different people. Experiment, and use what works best for you. Try not to make too many changes at once. Choose one or two things at a time to act upon. The key is to remain in control of your problems and anxieties, not to feel
that they're in control of you.
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