CANCER PATIENTS

HAPPINESS FROM PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Today I welcome David Haas as a guest to my blog site. He has written a wonderful post outlining the many benefits of exercise for cancer patients. Many thanks to David for choosing my site to help educate on this important issue. 

Please take some time to read about David, followed by his post on Finding Joy Through Movement.
Thank You David  :)

Marg Anderson

David Haas is a cancer support group and awareness program advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. In addition to researching the many valuable programs available to our site’s visitors, David often blogs about programs and campaigns underway at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, as well as creative fitness ideas for those dealing with cancer, while creating relationships with similar organizations.

http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/david/ 

https://mesothelioma.net/ 
( Healthy Lung Awareness  Month Oct 2018)

FINDING JOY THROUGH MOVEMENT

Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis or discovering that you have prostate cancer can be devastating.  For many people, fighting cancer can sap all their energy, joy, and happiness out of life.  Although past doctors would recommend sitting back and finding ways to simply make it from one day to the next, today’s doctors encourage cancer patients to get up and physically fight for their lives.

Happiness from Activity
Therapists have known for a long time that physical activity helps improve mood and helps with symptoms of depression and anxiety.  In fact, one of the first assignments that many therapists will give patients is to go outside and talk a short walk every day.     Being outside and active stimulates the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that improves mood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, cancer patients find that   physical activity contributes to an improved quality of life.

It can help improve self-confidence and boost feelings of hope for many people.  With physical activity, appearance will improve, helping you feel better about interacting with others.  This may also make you more inclined to engage in social activities and things you have enjoyed in the past.  You may get excited again about seeing friends and family to go out for dinner or for an afternoon picnic in the park.

Setting Goals for Physical Activity

You may not be ready to go out and swim for a few miles yet, but that does not mean you are stuck doing nothing.  Set some goals for physical activity based on your current activities.  Ask if there are things you already enjoy doing that involve being physically active.  Maybe you enjoy golf and can go out for a round a few times a week.  Maybe you enjoy taking walks.  Find a few things that you can do that will not feel like you are exhausting yourself.  Add something else each week.  If you enjoy walking, walk for your usual distance and add a few yards or a block to your regular walk.  When you can reach that distance comfortably, try going even further.

You can also add other activities to keep from getting bored. Try riding a bike occasionally or going for a swim a few days a week.  If you have a local YMCA, they may offer fun water exercise groups.

If you have not been physically active in some time, talk to your doctor about what kinds of exercise would be good for you and are safe for you to try.  You might try things like yoga or light weight lifting to improve your stamina or flexibility.  As your strength increases, you can add other more strenuous activities.

As your strength and stamina improve, you will begin to feel better.  Self-confidence will increase and you will begin to find joy in everyday things.  Your overall energy may even improve, allowing you to meet each day with a smile.

More information can be obtained at Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog at 
 http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog

or

 Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net