As we navigate life’s ups and downs, what uplifts you and helps to maintain your mental well-being? Let’s explore this question in honor of World Mental Health Day.
Let’s examine what gives cancer fighters the strength and empowerment to face their challenges on their journey to recovery.
Love
Love is a deep and powerful force that can offer immense comfort and support to those battling cancer. When surrounded by loved ones, cancer fighters can find solace in knowing they are not alone.
Here are some ways to show your love and support:
- Words of affirmation (E.g. “I will stand with you to support you through this journey.”)
- Quality time (E.g. Spending time with cancer fighters to do what they enjoy doing.)
- Acts of service (E.g. Giving a massage to relieve physical pains.)
- Gifts (E.g. Buying them a plush toy to hug during chemotherapy.)
- Physical touch (E.g. Giving them hugs whenever they feel afraid.)
There are many ways to show love and the most effective way is often unique to each individual. The most important thing is to express your love in a way that is meaningful to the person you care about.
Hope
Hope is a confident expectation and desire for good things to happen. It is a powerful emotion that can sustain individuals through the challenges of cancer. When faced with overwhelming uncertainty and distress, hope can provide a sense of optimism and resilience.
Here are some strategies to cultivate hope:
- Practice mindfulness – These practices help us stay grounded in the present, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the uncertainties of future cancer outcomes, thus reducing the feeling of hopelessness.
- Finding exceptions – Identify and focus on the positives when faced with the challenges of the cancer fighting journey.
- Discovering purpose – A sense of purpose (e.g. helping others) can provide motivation and a reason to keep going, even in the face of adversity.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It can play a crucial role in improving mental health and treatment outcomes for cancer fighters. By fostering resilience, individuals can better cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and life changes.
Here are some ways to build resilience:
- Growth mindset – View setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning to allow us to cope with the challenges faced in life.
- Self-care – Prioritise physical and mental well-being through healthy habits.
- Support – Build strong relationships with loved ones and seek support from others going through similar experiences.
Support
Providing emotional support involves being present for others during challenging times. For cancer fighters, this can involve creating a safe space to express and process their complex emotions. This helps to lighten the emotional load that they may experience.
Here are some ways to offer emotional support:
- Listen – Pay close attention to what they say without judgment.
- Acknowledge – Acknowledge and validate their emotions.
- Assure – Offer comfort and assurance, even without providing solutions.
Cancer fighters can also build their support network by joining peer support groups or seeking therapy. By working together, cancer fighters and their loved ones can create a supportive environment that fosters resilience and facilitates healing. Should you or your loved ones require a listening ear, our counsellors are here to support you on your journey to recovery.
