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Tips for coping with cancer during the holidays

Navigating the holidays can be a difficult time if you have been diagnosed with cancer. You may experience emotional or physical side effects that impact your ability to enjoy and engage in festive activities or celebrations. Emotionally, you may experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, or grief as you reflect on past holidays and face uncertainties about the future. Physically, the fatigue and side effects from treatment may make impact your ability to enjoy celebrations.

Our top 5 tips for managing during this time are designed to support cancer patients find a balance during holiday seasons.

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1. Emotional wellbeing

Acknowledge your feelings: It’s okay to feel a range of emotions during this time
Communicate with loved ones: Share your feelings and needs with your friends and family
Seek professional support: Consider counselling or support groups in your local area or online

Tips for coping with cancer during the holidays

2. Physical health

Manage fatigue: Try to conserve energy where possible and prioritise activities
Maintain a healthy diet: Seek nutritional advice
Stay active: Find new gentle exercises to keep your body moving, balancing this with rest, listen to your body

3. Social connections

Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no to events during the holiday season
Plan ahead: Organise your schedule to include rest periods
Virtual gatherings: Use technology to stay connected if you can’t attend in person

4. Practical tips

Simplify traditions: Adapt holiday traditions to fit your current energy levels
Delegate tasks: Let others help with preparations and responsibilities
Health Care appointments: Public holidays and social events may disrupt your appointments. Talk to your health care team about this, ensuring you can attend special events and have enough of your medications

5. Finding joy

Focus on the positive: Identify and cherish moments of joy
Mindfulness and relaxation: Take time to relax, which can help reduce stress
Gratitude practices: Keep a gratitude journal or share what you’re thankful for, which can help keep things in perspective

Coping with cancer during the holiday season can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to find the balance between going through treatment and the joy of the festive season. By acknowledging your emotions, managing your physical health, maintaining social connections, and adapting traditions, you can navigate this time with reduced stress.

For more personalised advice and support, reach out to your healthcare team or reach out to your nearest Icon Cancer Centre below.

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Strategies for coping with cancer during the holidays

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The content found on the Icon Cancer Centre website is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. It is not a substitute for consulting with a qualified medical professional. Our website is designed to provide information and support to the general public. Please be mindful that we do not dispense medical advice, and for personalised medical guidance, we strongly advise you to consult with a qualified medical professional or doctor.

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