Supporting a Loved One
- The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some people to not visit family over the holidays, which may increase feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Those battling cancer often deal with those emotions during treatment, and by isolating during the holidays, this could also cause a feeling of loneliness.
- SurvivorNet shares helpful guidance on how to support a loved one battling cancer during the holiday season.
Staying safe is a priority for many of us this holiday season, but it’s important to remember that our emotional health is just as important as our physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to stay put and not visit family this holiday season, and for those fighting cancer, the holiday quarantine may increase feelings of loneliness or anxiety. SurvivorNet breaks down helpful ways you can support a loved one dealing with stress while fighting cancer.
Related: Living With Cancer, Fear of COVID-19, & the Holiday Season Can Increase Stress Levels Which Can Impact Treatment
“Cancer patients undergo an extreme amount of stress, and there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation, and sometimes even PTSD,” Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “So there’s a lot of concern in the oncology community that the COVID-19 pandemic can magnify those uncertainties and stressors for cancer patients.”
Dr. Marianna Strongin shares helpful tips for cancer patients on how to manage COVID-19 anxiety
There are some small, but very important actions you can take to help make sure friends and family don’t lose hope. Keeping their spirits up may be as simple as a phone call a day, or sending them a care package. At the heart of it — just be more aware than you normally are and if you think they need to speak to a professional, don’t be afraid to suggest it — or even push them in that direction.
1. Talk to Your Loved One
Sometimes, the best way to help ease any negative emotions is to talk through them. Although you may not be able to fully understand the battle your loved one is facing, it never hurts to let them get those feelings off their chests. Some people may opt for channeling their emotions through artistic outlets such as painting or journaling, but no matter what, feeling reassured and supported is a very important part of one’s cancer journey.
2. Include Them in Activities
Thanks to technology, connecting with a person you care about, even if they are far away, is easier than ever. Just because they can’t be there in person doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some activities together. Emotional health plays a very important role in someone’s cancer journey, especially since studies show that patients who are able to stay positive typically see better treatment outcomes.
Related: What Still Brings You Joy? Your Emotional Health is So Important to Living with Cancer
A helpful way to create a positive mindset is by doing activities you enjoy. This could be anything from playing a card game over Zoom to simply kicking back with a glass of wine. No matter what you choose, it’s important to make sure your loved one doesn’t feel completely alone during the holiday season.
Dr. Dana Chase explains how emotional health is key during a cancer journey
3. Remind Them You’re Still There
Let’s be honest, holidays are often synonymous with gift-giving. Even though not all of us will be able to be together and unwrap presents under a Christmas tree, that doesn’t mean you can’t share special gifts and tokens of love with one another. Whether it’s a card, present, or a home-cooked meal, a small gesture can really go a long way.
Related: No, Stress Doesn’t Cause Cancer. But it Can Lead to Other Cancer-causing Habits and Conditions
One of the best part of the holidays is sitting around the dinner table with your family and enjoying a nice home cooked meal. Even though that may not be possible this year, you may consider dropping a special dish over at your loved ones, or if that’s not possible, sending a gift basket of some goodies. After all, diet can play a critical role in not only assessing your risk of a cancer diagnosis, but how your treatment goes.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Supporting a Loved One
- The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some people to not visit family over the holidays, which may increase feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Those battling cancer often deal with those emotions during treatment, and by isolating during the holidays, this could also cause a feeling of loneliness.
- SurvivorNet shares helpful guidance on how to support a loved one battling cancer during the holiday season.
Staying safe is a priority for many of us this holiday season, but it’s important to remember that our
emotional health is just as important as our physical health. The
COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to stay put and not visit family this holiday season, and for those fighting cancer, the holiday quarantine may increase feelings of loneliness or
anxiety.
SurvivorNet breaks down helpful ways you can support a loved one dealing with stress while fighting cancer.
Related: Living With Cancer, Fear of COVID-19, & the Holiday Season Can Increase Stress Levels Which Can Impact Treatment
Read More
“Cancer patients undergo an extreme amount of stress, and there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience such as
anxiety,
depression,
financial toxicity, social isolation, and sometimes even PTSD,”
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, told
SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “So there’s a lot of concern in the oncology community that the COVID-19 pandemic can magnify those uncertainties and stressors for cancer patients.”
Dr. Marianna Strongin shares helpful tips for cancer patients on how to manage COVID-19 anxiety
There are some small, but very important actions you can take to help make sure friends and family don’t lose hope. Keeping their spirits up may be as simple as a phone call a day, or sending them a care package. At the heart of it — just be more aware than you normally are and if you think they need to speak to a professional, don’t be afraid to suggest it — or even push them in that direction.
1. Talk to Your Loved One
Sometimes, the best way to help ease any negative emotions is to talk through them. Although you may not be able to fully understand the battle your loved one is facing, it never hurts to let them get those feelings off their chests. Some people may opt for channeling their emotions through artistic outlets such as painting or journaling, but no matter what, feeling reassured and supported is a very important part of one’s cancer journey.
2. Include Them in Activities
Thanks to technology, connecting with a person you care about, even if they are far away, is easier than ever. Just because they can’t be there in person doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some activities together. Emotional health plays a very important role in someone’s cancer journey, especially since studies show that patients who are able to stay positive typically see better treatment outcomes.
Related: What Still Brings You Joy? Your Emotional Health is So Important to Living with Cancer
A helpful way to create a positive mindset is by doing activities you enjoy. This could be anything from playing a card game over Zoom to simply kicking back with a glass of wine. No matter what you choose, it’s important to make sure your loved one doesn’t feel completely alone during the holiday season.
Dr. Dana Chase explains how emotional health is key during a cancer journey
3. Remind Them You’re Still There
Let’s be honest, holidays are often synonymous with gift-giving. Even though not all of us will be able to be together and unwrap presents under a Christmas tree, that doesn’t mean you can’t share special gifts and tokens of love with one another. Whether it’s a card, present, or a home-cooked meal, a small gesture can really go a long way.
Related: No, Stress Doesn’t Cause Cancer. But it Can Lead to Other Cancer-causing Habits and Conditions
One of the best part of the holidays is sitting around the dinner table with your family and enjoying a nice home cooked meal. Even though that may not be possible this year, you may consider dropping a special dish over at your loved ones, or if that’s not possible, sending a gift basket of some goodies. After all, diet can play a critical role in not only assessing your risk of a cancer diagnosis, but how your treatment goes.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
