Building Sustainable Health Routines During a Child’s Cancer Diagnosis
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Building Sustainable Health Routines During a Child’s Cancer Diagnosis
Thank you Justin Black for this article.
Hearing that your child has cancer is every parent’s worst nightmare. In the aftermath of your child’s diagnosis, it’s normal to experience shock, sorrow, and a sense of grief. Amid hospital visits, treatment plans, and emotional turmoil, it’s easy to disregard your own health. However, building sustainable health habits will give you the strength to cope during this difficult time and be the supportive and nurturing parent your child needs most. In this article from BendYourKnees.org, we’ll discuss the significance of self-care for parents facing the heart-wrenching journey of their child’s cancer diagnosis.
Build Healthy Coping Mechanisms
When your child has cancer, it’s normal for your stress levels to run high. Unfortunately, constant, elevated stress levels can take a toll on your health and impede your ability to function. Picking up a few stress coping strategies will help reduce its impact on your well-being. For example, PsychCentral suggests meditating, finding creative outlets, deep breathing, and adopting healthy habits like exercising or doing yoga. If you become overwhelmed by your stress, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from friends or family. Outsourcing your daily chores or errands will take some of the pressure off so you can focus your energy on your child.
Keep Your Dreams in Sight
Pursuing your dreams can serve as a beacon of light in the darkness of this difficult time. By working towards a greater goal, you can infuse your life with purpose and anticipation, keeping your eyes on the future to foster a sense of hope. One way to propel your dreams forward is to pursue a degree. For example, you could enroll in an online Bachelor of Science in Education degree program to learn valuable skills in instructional practice, learner development, and teaching. Online education options can empower you to earn your desired credentials while juggling full-time work and your child’s care needs. Plus, online programs offer huge time savings for busy parents.
Plant a Garden in Your Yard
Gardening offers a unique opportunity to reduce the shock, anger, and sadness connected with grief. Many gardeners find that plants bring a sense of peace and grounding during times of crisis, reducing stress and soothing the soul. After all, humans have lived among plants for the entirety of history and our bodies are highly in tune with the natural world. If you’re new to gardening, click here to learn about different plants, gardening techniques, and expert advice to ensure your first gardening experience is positive!
Prepare Healthy Meals in Bulk
Preparing healthy meals can feel like a daunting task amid the demanding responsibilities that come with your child’s cancer diagnosis. Bulk cooking can offer some respite from the daily demand on your time. By dedicating a day or two each week to preparing nutritious meals in advance, you can ensure that wholesome options are readily available even on the busiest of days. Choose recipes rich in lean proteins, vibrant vegetables, and whole grains that can be easily portioned and stored for later consumption.
Keep Yourself Active
Engaging in regular physical activity is a powerful tool for coping with stress and the other emotional challenges that come with a child’s cancer diagnosis. Whether it's a brisk walk, a calming yoga session, or a rejuvenating swim, exercise releases endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals, which can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise is a fantastic opportunity for self-care that offers both short- and long-term benefits for parents dealing with grief.
Prioritizing your well-being can serve as a lifeline of strength and resilience when your child has cancer. By adopting healthy coping mechanisms, nurturing your dreams, tending to your emotional well-being through gardening, and preparing nourishing meals, you’ll be prepared to face each day with renewed energy and purpose.
The Bend Your Knees Foundation is a non-profit established to spread awareness of brain tumors in children and raise money for families that have a child with a brain tumor. Take a look around our website to learn how you can get involved!
