A DIFFICULT DISCUSSION
FOCUS ON PREVENTION EDUCATION A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too.
As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?” Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional. When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts, while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth.
The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.
BODY, MIND, ACTION!
MIND Keeping a journal is not just a great mental exercise; it can help you pinpoint what is making you feel anxious or stressed. Is it work? School? Family? When you sense these negative feelings set in, start writing about them. This will help you discern a pattern. While you’re writing, try to put your stress in perspective. Is the situation as bad as it seems? Sometimes just taking a few minutes to face your fears is enough to help you start your day a little more calmly. ACTION During moments of anxiety, focusing on your breathing can help. Start by slowly inhaling and exhaling by counts of five, a practice which sends messages to your brain to slow your heart rate, reducing your blood pressure. If you find that breathing tactics, meditation, and other relaxation methods don’t help, it might be time to seek out advice from family, friends, and mental-health experts. Our advocates here at Disability Help Center know how mentally and physically draining stress and anxiety can be. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of excellent resources to bring you comfort, care, and a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Call our office today to get more information!
In honor of National Emotional Wellness Month, and in addition to addressing our advocates’ ability to help you determine whether your mental condition qualifies for Social Security benefits, we also want to offer some general advice. Information from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America informs this piece on the steps you can take to try and reduce the amount of chronic stress you experience in your daily life.
BODY When it comes to reducing your stress and anxiety, your body plays a huge role. Medical research shows that if your body isn’t feeling well or getting the nutrition and care it needs, then it can negatively affect your mental state. While it’s easier
said than done, aim to get enough sleep at night, and try to sneak in an extra half-hour or so if you’re already feeling stressed. Then when you wake up, plan on eating well-balanced meals throughout the day and avoiding too much sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Lastly, try to squeeze in some time for regular exercise. The endorphins physical activity releases are a great natural stress reliever.
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