Improve Your Overall
Health and Quality of Life – Get Moving
If you are facing a life threatening illness, probably the last thing on your mind is going and working out at the gym. However, many researchers are discovering that cancer patients, maybe more than almost any other group, should be active and physically fit as part of their treatment program. Fitness for mesothelioma, breast cancer and colon cancer may seem counterintuitive initially. However, as you start to feel better, you may find yourself looking forward to being active and recognizing it is worth the effort.
What the Research Says
In the past, doctors would advise patients to rest as much as possible when giving a diagnosis and treatment plan for cancer. Today, it is much different. According to the National Cancer Institute, individuals who are physically active have longer survival rates and less recurrence of cancer compared to people who are sedentary.
Physical activity has the positive impact of increasing stamina and energy for many patients. Although it can be initially difficult to start moving, researchers have found that patients who engage in at least 20 minutes of activity daily are able to tolerate the fatigue that comes with chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Additionally, many patients report that with consistent activity, they are able to gradually do more and more, building their strength in the process.
Physical fitness activities also help with weight reduction and decreased risk of diabetes. For patients with diabetes, physical activity helps with blood sugar levels and may reduce the need for insulin or other medications.
Fitness activities also improve heart health. Often, physical fitness leads to weight loss, lowers blood pressure and improves a patient’s resting heart rate. All of these health improvements lower the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
Individuals who are physically active also improve their immune system’s ability to fight their illness. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly stimulate immune cell response, boosting the effectiveness of their immune system.
Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life
Becoming physically active can improve the quality of your life on many levels. Often, as your strength and stamina improve, your self esteem and confidence also improve. With weight loss, you may begin to feel better about your appearance, particularly if you have lost weight as part of your illness.
Many patients also find that they become more social and want to meet with friends more often. They begin to find their joy and happiness again and actually start looking toward the future as they engage in activities they enjoy.
Depression and anxiety are very common mental health issues that cancer patients struggle with as part of the impact of their illness. However, with physical activity, you may find your low mood and anxiety about the future lifting. In fact, therapists have recommended outdoor and physical activity as a treatment intervention for anxiety and depression for many years. Physical activity stimulates neurochemicals that improve mood and may help eliminate the need for antidepressants or medications to help you sleep or lower your anxiety.
Improved sleep is also another benefit from being physically active. For most patients, sleep becomes more restful and restorative and getting to sleep becomes easier. Improved sleep can improve your mood and it can also help your body fight your illness much more effectively.
It may seem challenging to go for a walk every day or even do simple stretching exercises. However, with a little bit of effort, you may find that you are able to do a little more each day. Soon, you will find that you are feeling better overall and your mood is lifting. Being physically active can not only help you fight cancer now, but it can keep you in remission and give you your life back. That alone is worth getting up and moving.
If you are facing a life threatening illness, probably the last thing on your mind is going and working out at the gym. However, many researchers are discovering that cancer patients, maybe more than almost any other group, should be active and physically fit as part of their treatment program. Fitness for mesothelioma, breast cancer and colon cancer may seem counterintuitive initially. However, as you start to feel better, you may find yourself looking forward to being active and recognizing it is worth the effort.
What the Research Says
In the past, doctors would advise patients to rest as much as possible when giving a diagnosis and treatment plan for cancer. Today, it is much different. According to the National Cancer Institute, individuals who are physically active have longer survival rates and less recurrence of cancer compared to people who are sedentary.
Physical activity has the positive impact of increasing stamina and energy for many patients. Although it can be initially difficult to start moving, researchers have found that patients who engage in at least 20 minutes of activity daily are able to tolerate the fatigue that comes with chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Additionally, many patients report that with consistent activity, they are able to gradually do more and more, building their strength in the process.
Physical fitness activities also help with weight reduction and decreased risk of diabetes. For patients with diabetes, physical activity helps with blood sugar levels and may reduce the need for insulin or other medications.
Fitness activities also improve heart health. Often, physical fitness leads to weight loss, lowers blood pressure and improves a patient’s resting heart rate. All of these health improvements lower the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
Individuals who are physically active also improve their immune system’s ability to fight their illness. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly stimulate immune cell response, boosting the effectiveness of their immune system.
Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life
Becoming physically active can improve the quality of your life on many levels. Often, as your strength and stamina improve, your self esteem and confidence also improve. With weight loss, you may begin to feel better about your appearance, particularly if you have lost weight as part of your illness.
Many patients also find that they become more social and want to meet with friends more often. They begin to find their joy and happiness again and actually start looking toward the future as they engage in activities they enjoy.
Depression and anxiety are very common mental health issues that cancer patients struggle with as part of the impact of their illness. However, with physical activity, you may find your low mood and anxiety about the future lifting. In fact, therapists have recommended outdoor and physical activity as a treatment intervention for anxiety and depression for many years. Physical activity stimulates neurochemicals that improve mood and may help eliminate the need for antidepressants or medications to help you sleep or lower your anxiety.
Improved sleep is also another benefit from being physically active. For most patients, sleep becomes more restful and restorative and getting to sleep becomes easier. Improved sleep can improve your mood and it can also help your body fight your illness much more effectively.
It may seem challenging to go for a walk every day or even do simple stretching exercises. However, with a little bit of effort, you may find that you are able to do a little more each day. Soon, you will find that you are feeling better overall and your mood is lifting. Being physically active can not only help you fight cancer now, but it can keep you in remission and give you your life back. That alone is worth getting up and moving.
