Published Feb 10, 2021

Singer Alicia Keys’ Tips for Staying Centered is Advice All Cancer Patients Should Make Note Of

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Tips to Stay Grounded

Singer Alicia Keys recently shared how she’s been trying to stay grounded during the COVID-19 pandemic; she says she’s been spending time practicing music, reading, and focusing on being grateful and managing her time.
Emotional well-being is a very important step in someone’s cancer journey. Studies show that patients who are able to stay positive typically see better treatment results.
Experts tell SurvivorNet that a way for patients to stay positive is by doing activities they enjoy.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may be understandably causing increased stress for many people battling cancer. That’s why it’s so important to take some time for yourself, and try to center yourself as much as possible. Singer Alicia Keys recently shared some helpful tips on how she keeps herself grounded, and it’s advice anyone feeling overwhelmed can benefit from.

In a recent interview with Vogue, Keys discussed how she’s been trying to de-stress and cope with anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offered some helpful tips with all of us. According to Keys, she’s been focusing more time on activities that bring her joy and calm her such as reading and practicing music. Additionally, the singer-songwriter is making it a point to focus on her inner emotions and coping. This includes managing her time better, understanding her worth, and embracing gratitude as much as she can.

“Gratitude is my secret weapon, period,” Keys tells Vogue. “When I just can't figure out how to change my mood or my level of anxiety, or if I'm feeling tired or I can't muster the strength to keep moving forward, I give thanksfive times a day sometimes, just for the food I'm going to eat, for getting to a place safely, or for the night's sleep I'm going to have.”

Dr. Zuri Murrel explains how living in gratitude can help cancer patients during treatment and recovery

Why Emotional Well-Being is Important

While fighting cancer, it’s easy to only focus on treatment. However, prioritizing emotional well-being is just as important through one’s cancer journey. Studies prove that patients who are able to stay positive and feel uplifted during treatment see better results. So, Keys’ advice on how she stays centered could really help those dealing with overwhelming emotions such as anxiety, sadness, or anger.

For those battling cancer, doing activities you love can sometimes bring some much-needed positivity into your day. Whether it's a picnic with friends, hike in the great outdoors, or simply sitting down with a great book. No matter what you choose, these activities can really help you with your mindset and attitude.

“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes," Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that's related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities."

Dr. Dana Chase encourages those facing cancer to find moments of joy during treatment

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