Exercise can have a range of important benefits that are quite specific to cancer patients. Because those with the disease often suffer from lack of energy, motivation is one of the most important aspects of getting people up and moving. Strong familial support groups can help in this regard and having a close network of friends can boost both physical and psychological health.
One of the best motivational tools for exercise when undergoing treatment for cancer is to think small at first. Priming oneself to run a marathon in the next month or so is not generally realistic, though it is quite possible that such a feat might be worked up to. Rather, stepping outside for a walk in the woods or nearby fields might be just what is needed. Likewise, patients might swim a few laps at the local swimming pool; go for a jog through the neighborhood, or cycle with a friend, a spouse, or a son or daughter at the local park.
While exercise provides undeniable benefits to the cardiovascular system as a whole, it also is crucial to a person’s spiritual core. When outdoors and exerting oneself just a bit more than usual, endorphins are released within the brain that provide a sort of natural high, which can affect all aspects of an individual’s thinking. These endorphins are mood boosters, and can help people who had previously kept to themselves to begin to embrace friends and family a bit more.
Cancer patients often suffer from a considerable amount of stress, and this is understandable. Exercise can do wonders for this, however. Going for a hike with a group of close friends can distract the mind from other issues. In addition, it can actually help with aches and pains that are sometimes associated with chemotherapy and radiation procedures. For one, pain is sometimes exacerbated by stress. By focusing on activities that are natural stress reducers, some of this pain may very well disappear or will at the very least lessen a bit.
For men and women who are lacking the motivation to begin even a beginner’s exercise regimen, it is very important that loved ones get involved. Children can be particularly important here. If a parent has cancer, boys and girls can encourage their mother or father to move around a bit and get back to some of the activities they had previously enjoyed.
In the end, exercise can have significant positive impacts for cancer patients. It can reduce stress, improve mood, and bring people closer to their families. These benefits are seen by people with all types of cancers including breast cancer, liver cancer, and rare forms of cancer like testicular mesothelioma. Encouragement from doctors, nurses, family members, and friends should all prove highly motivational in prodding individuals out into the fresh air.
Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She became particularly interested in ways cancer patients can cope with the side-effects of their treatment after her mother became an oncology nurse for lung cancer.
