Add 3 New Terms to your Cancer Dictionary! Fit - Strong - Centered
February 28, 2011
By Linda T. Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CET
A cancer diagnosis introduces a new language to the patient and their circle of caring. A glossary of cancer terms like "antiemetic" "combination chemotherapy" and "adjuvant" are a few that become a part of one's vocabulary (and appear online at: http://www.chemotherapy.com/glossary/terms.html#A).
Here are some other words I suggest make their way into your vocabulary: "fit", "strong" and "centered". These 3 powerful words can help establish a platform of coping and healing mechanisms that everyone, including cancer patients, their loved ones and friends can use to navigate any challenge in their lives, including a disease diagnosis.
Fostering a commitment to improved or sustained fitness isn't as difficult as many people think. Some folks rely on their "good genes" or "sturdy stock" to carry them throughout a lifetime. I say, why not bolster (or in some cases, overcome) your hereditary history and choose to define health and fitness as a priority?
Creating a simple physical activity program is doable for most everyone. Starting with a brief walk, inside or outdoors can be the basis for a fitness program for many cancer patients and survivors. Just stepping out of the house and breathing fresh air and feeling the sun on their face is a positive big step for some. Beginning a strength program using soup cans, milk jugs, or simply your own mindful muscle resistance (no equipment required!) triggers important (imperceptible to you) activity in your over 600 muscles. Muscles want and need to move to stay vital, just like your car needs 4 tires to drive down the road.
When you begin exercising, your body immediately responds. Research proves that during any aerobic exercise, even walking for five minutes, your heart immediately begins to beat faster in order to pump more blood to your muscles. In fact, scientists have found that people's hearts beat faster even before they exercise- just by the brain anticipating it! Speeding up your heart rate is great because it encourages your arteries to widen naturally, vastly increasing blood flow and circulation.
In just five minutes of moderate exercise, your lungs begin to supply your body with more oxygen, carrying higher levels of carbon dioxide out of your body. More oxygen means you are more alert and aware. Exercise boosts the "happy chemicals" in the brain, to the point where many folks suffering slight depression can decrease or eliminate their medications.
Increased physical activity can help you be more aligned and centered, managing stress, cancer fatigue and encouraging a better night's sleep.
Moving your body reconnects you to your body to remind you how awesome you are. Why not invite fitness in and see what good things happen?
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