Life can be Beautiful . . . looking after Yourself

By Bride Doyle

Last Updated: Mar 24, 2010
Articles & News : Articles : Support

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The Cancer Survivor Group of Stephenville hosted the seminar, "Life can be Beautiful . . . Looking after Yourself," on February 3, 2010 for twenty women. For an hour and a half, they listened and shared as part of their healing process.

In this day and age, the word, stress, seems to come up in every conversation. What is stressing you out? Have you just learned that you have cancer? Have you been worrying about that lump in your breast for the past three months? Looking after yourself may simply mean putting on quiet music and laying down to have a rest.

Or you may already have had surgery and are undergoing chemo or radiation treatment. Being physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted could very well be your reality at this time. How are you caring for yourself now?

These women who attended my seminar were at different levels in their lives. Some are still in the process of getting treatment while others are in remission.

Where ever you are, stress is certainly a part of your life. Just getting up in the morning may be difficult for you. Your focus is on healing your body. Could you picture yourself in good health and say daily, "I am healthy and getting healthier and healthier?" Try this to see how it makes you feel.

What have you done in the past to relieve stress? We are told that within each of us there is a solution to a problem we are facing. Sometimes it just means becoming aware of what we already know. We may even overlook it because it is so familiar to us.

Take, for example, the Stop, Look and Listen technique we use when crossing the street. This is the technique that I used with this group.

STOP:
1. First of all, set aside some time to think about what you need to do to lower your stress level. However, you may say that you have all the time in the world to do that and you just can't think. Then just be. Look at a rose or think of a favourite scene or happy memory.
2. Next, reflect on your present situation to see what you can or cannot change. Write down what is bothering you the most and causing the stress. When you do this, you may realize that you manage your situation very well because of the support you have. Just doing that helps you feel better.
3. Thirdly, name the feelings that arise as a result of your situation.  If the feelings of anger, helplessness and hopelessness are overwhelming, you may need to talk to someone who can help you sort through them. To help you get past that stumbling block, call a friend or put on a calming CD. There are many available. At the seminar, I used mine called Quest for Happiness- Relaxation Techniques. The women enjoyed its calming effect on themselves as we began the session.

LOOK:
4. Think of a past situation where you were successful in a stressful situation? What worked for you? Could you use the same techniques again or would you look for new ones? Keep it simple.

LISTEN:
5. Listen to your inner being, your intuition to make life beautiful for you. Looking after yourself could be deciding to walk each day for thirty minutes, join a fitness club, a swimming class or a yoga class.  Try something new to take care of your physical well being.
6. Plan daily to spend some time listening to a relaxing tape or reading something inspirational. Share with a family member or friend. Laugh daily. This will help your emotional health.
7. List the talents you have.  Are you interested in painting, photography or crafts? Would you like to join a book club, or a quilting bee? What gives you joy? 
8. Count your daily successes and the gifts in your life. Speak of them to your family and friends.

In conclusion, remember that there are many ways to handle stress in your life. I hope my suggestions are a help. In your healing, use whatever it takes to make life beautiful by looking after yourself!  You are worth it!

Bride Doyle, author of Quest for Happiness Handling Difficult Relationships Using the FTA Approach and CD called Quest for Happiness- Relaxation Techniques. Her book and CD are available on line at Chapters. Her website is www.harborofhappiness.com 

Have comments about this article? We'd love to hear from you. Please email us at abcn@abcn.ca!