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Staying Strong: Physical and Mental Strategies for Thriving with Myeloma
Myeloma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone
marrow. This type of cancer is challenging to treat and can cause serious physical and
emotional stress. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of this life-
altering diagnosis. However, it is possible to stay physically and mentally strong in the
face of adversity.
With the right strategies and support, there is hope. By focusing on positive activities
and developing a strong support system, it is possible to maintain a sense of hope and
optimism in the face of a myeloma diagnosis. Through
- self-care,
- physical activity,
- and emotional support,
it is possible to stay physically and mentally strong in the face of this
disease. Everything needs motivation just like when you want to lose weight you do
exercise, follow a good diet plan to lose weight and most of all stay consistent to
achieve your goal.
Physical Strategies to Maintain Strength
Exercise can have a profound impact on the body and brain, positively affecting mood
and increasing
- serotonin,
- dopamine, and
- endorphin levels,
which may positively influence feelings of stress and fatigue. Regular exercise has also been shown to
reduce stress hormones and improve immune function, all of which may reduce the risk
of conditions that are commonly experienced by people with myeloma.
Studies have also found that exercise can improve quality of life for people with cancer
as a way to decrease feelings of isolation. For people with myeloma, exercise can help
to reduce anxiety, depression, and frustrations associated with treatment and
medications.
It is important to talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program
if you are having any health issue like insulin resistance diabetes etc, especially if you
have a medical condition like myeloma, because exercise should be combined with a
healthy diet and adequate rest.
a. Exercise
People diagnosed with cancer often feel a sense of isolation and loneliness. Exercise
can be a powerful tool for coping with these feelings and improving quality of life. It can
also be a source of emotional support. By engaging in activities that make you feel
happy and less alone, you can improve your sense of well-being, which can positively
influence your outlook and feelings of stress.
Physical activity has been shown to increase feelings of happiness and reduce stress
by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Exercise has also been shown to increase
endorphin levels in the brain, which may help to reduce feelings of anxiety and
depression.
b. Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining strength and vitality in both the short-
and long-term. A healthy diet is important for both physical and emotional health. A diet
low in refined sugars can help to reduce feelings of fatigue and bloating that may be
caused by low stomach acid while high amounts of refined sugars can lead to elevated
levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
A diet consisting of healthy gut-healthy foods (such as fibre, fruits, vegetables, and
probiotics) can help to maintain a healthy gut and keep inflammation low, which may
also improve sleep quality. A diet low in red meat, sugary foods, and high in vegetables,
and fibre, can help to reduce inflammation. A diet high in red meat, refined sugars, and
low in vegetables, and fibre, can increase inflammation.
c. Sleep
Sleep has been shown to be important for both physical and emotional health,
particularly for people with cancer. Inadequate sleep has been associated with
increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. A sleep deficit can also impair immune
function, increasing the risk of developing an infection.
A sleep deficit can have serious consequences for both physical and emotional health.
A lack of sleep is associated with an increase in cortisol and reduced immune response,
which increases the risk of infection and may increase feelings of stress. It can also
result in decreased concentration and increased feelings of anxiety.
Sleep is important for physical health as it helps the body to rest and repair. Sleep also
has an important emotional impact, positively affecting mood and reducing feelings of
anxiety and stress. While sleep is important for both physical and emotional health, it
can be difficult to maintain a regular schedule during cancer treatment.
If you are experiencing sleep deprivation, you may want to consider speaking to your
doctor about the benefits of medication to help you to get a better night’s sleep.
Mental Strategies to Maintain Strength
A positive mindset can help to maintain hope and optimism in the face of cancer. By
focusing on positive activities, you can cultivate gratitude and appreciation for the things
in your life that are already good. People with myeloma who maintain a positive mindset
have been shown to experience less anxiety and depression, which can help to reduce
feelings of stress and improve quality of life.
Developing a relationship with a spiritual guide or therapist can also be helpful in
cultivating gratitude, as it can help to identify the things in life that are most valuable.
Regular practice of relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness
techniques, can help to reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
a. Develop a Positive Mindset
It is important to remember that even when things may seem out of control, there is
always a purpose and a positive outcome. There are many resources available to help
you to maintain a positive mindset, such as guided meditation and relaxation
techniques, reading positive books, or participating in online cancer support groups.
By cultivating gratitude, you can develop a stronger sense of appreciation for the things
in your life that are already good. By identifying the things that are most important to
you, you can cultivate the feeling of being grateful for them, even if you don’t have
immediate access to them.
Through positive self-talk, you can cultivate a more positive outlook by encouraging
yourself to think positively, even when you are struggling. By identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, you can help to reduce feelings of stress and develop a more
realistic outlook.
b. Cultivate Gratitude
By cultivating gratitude, you can learn to appreciate the things in your life that are
already good. Gratitude has been shown to improve both physical and mental health. It
has been linked to lower levels of stress hormones and increased levels of the hormone
cortisol, which helps to regulate the immune system and can help to improve immune
function.
By cultivating gratitude, you can also develop a healthier perspective on life by
appreciating the simple things in your life, such as the food that you eat or the fact that
you are able to walk. By increasing your gratitude levels, you can help to reduce
feelings of stress and develop a more balanced perspective on life.
c. Connect with Others
Being connected to others can help to maintain a positive mindset in the face of
adversity. Social support can help to reduce feelings of depression and loneliness by
encouraging you to identify and build relationships with people who are positive and
encouraging, such as family and friends. Social support has been shown to have a
positive impact on many aspects of health, including physical and emotional health.
It can help to reduce feelings of stress by encouraging you to identify and build
relationships with people who are positive and encouraging, such as family and friends.
Social support has been shown to have a positive impact on many aspects of health,
including physical and emotional health. It can help to reduce feelings of stress by
encouraging you to identify and build relationships with people who are positive and
encouraging, such as family and friends.
Creating a Support System
The first step toward staying strong is to create a strong support system. It is important
to find a support system that works for you. Ideally, your support system should include
family members and close friends as well as people you do not know but who have
been affected by myeloma.
These individuals can provide valuable emotional support as well as assist in making
medical appointments and providing transportation. They can also help you to stay
upbeat and remind you to take time for yourself. You may also find that professional
counseling is helpful. There are many professionals who are trained to work with people
who are facing a diagnosis of myeloma.
These professionals can help you to process and process your emotions, which can be
helpful when dealing with a serious diagnosis. They can also assist you in managing
stress, anxiety, and other psychological issues.
a. Reach Out to Friends and Family
Reach out to old friends and make new ones. Make it a priority to stay in contact with
friends and family who have been close to you since childhood. These people often
know the best ways to support you and can be a vital source of positivity. It can be
helpful to reach out to other myeloma patients and their loved ones to find out what
kinds of activities they find helpful in staying positive.
While it is important to keep a positive outlook, it can also be helpful to focus on the
good things in life. Focusing on the positive aspects of life can help to relieve stress and
may also be helpful for boosting your emotional health. Additionally you may find it
helpful to create a bucket list of things you would like to accomplish before you are
diagnosed with myeloma.
b. Find Support Groups
If you are looking for a community of people who are facing the same challenges as
you, consider joining a support group. There are many online support groups where you
can connect with others who are facing myeloma.
There are also many support groups that meet in person. Support groups can be
incredibly helpful in providing another perspective and helping to ease stress. It can be
helpful to discuss how you are feeling, receive encouragement, and offer support to
others.
c. Utilize Professional Counseling
If your support system is healthy and strong, but you still feel like you could use some
extra assistance, consider seeing a professional counselor. Professional counselors can
help people to process their emotions and find ways to relieve stress.
They may also be able to refer you to additional resources such as support groups. In
many cases, professional counseling can also help people who are facing a serious
diagnosis to process their emotions and maintain a sense of hope.
Conclusion
Studies have found that social support can help to reduce the impact of stress on the
immune system, which can improve your health and enable you to focus on treatment
goals, such as completing your chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Social support
may also help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in the face of a life-
threatening diagnosis, such as cancer.
Your support network can serve as a source of inspiration, giving you a sense of hope
and providing a positive focus for your life. Social support may also help to improve your
mental health by helping you to maintain a positive mindset and cultivate gratitude for
the things in life that are already good. By connecting with others, you can empower
yourself with the support that you need to stay strong during this challenging time in
your life.