don’t eat burnt toast
Do you eat the burnt toast? The burnt toast theory asserts that you will fix your whole family toast in the morning, and take the burnt piece and save it for yourself, and this will be done on EVERY level; take the worst or most uncomfortable seat, buy the economical car, get your clothes at a discount store while buying others the premier brands; generally making sure everyone else gets the "good stuff" and you take the rest.
Now, layer in what's going on after a cancer diagnosis- perhaps you CAN'T do for everyone the way you used to, but scurry to find other ways to carry on... That's a recipe for stress, fatigue and burnout.
You are eating burnt toast.
More than ever, it's imperative to practice Self Care- simply said-taking care of self. I know this is a very overused term, but it's one we know is critically important.
Don't feel bad if you have been taught since an early age that being self compassionate is another word for selfishness. According to Psychology Today, this is not an unusual belief. It may also feel strange to turn your focus and care inward, when every day you try to do for EVERYONE else.
And, for type A folks, years you may have pushed yourself even harder to defines success, so slowing down isn't in your vocabulary.
Ignoring self care at this critical time in your healing journey is a huge mistake. No one, not even you, has an unlimited pool of physical or emotional energy.
Ask yourself, are you giving yourself the breaks you need?
Are you getting the support and encouragement you provide others?
Are you focusing on your healing, including eating nutritionally rich foods (getting enough protein),
drinking enough water and getting consistent exercise?
Or, are you still trying to keep up your pre diagnosis work and family responsibilities?
Part of self care is seeing yourself as worthy of it.
There are several ways you can enlist your family, friends and co-workers to help you keep your good health commitments. Having cheerleaders, walking partners, gym friends, therapists or trainers who understand your situation can help you stay on track. Using logs like the free one here is a great start.
In Moving Through Cancer, Dr. Schmitz shares her very personal story about how even professionals that work in the industry of self and health care can need a reminder about the critical importance of self care. Taking the time to shift your focus from the outside in and include self care in as you move through cancer is an important part of treatment and survivorship plan.
Despite these findings and significant evidence that exercise clearly benefits cancer patients, patients and doctors are sometimes hesitant to consider it part of the treatment plan. As in any exercise program, it’s important to acknowledge there are risks involved, but the reality is that in most cases the benefits of exercise far exceed any risks for those with a cancer diagnosis.
Exercise might be the best medicine of all for helping you return to your normal (or better!) physical and psychological functioning.
** Before considering exercise or any increase in physical activity, discuss your personal situations with your physicians. Your doctor will be able to provide medical clearance and any important restrictions. Previously sedentary, medically or mobility challenged individuals should consider at least a few sessions with an exercise professional or physical therapist to craft a safe program. **
Linda T Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CET is a nationally certified fitness coach and cancer exercise trainer who has helped hundreds of individuals embrace exercise to reclaim their fit and healthy self. The author of No Ifs Ands or Butts, Linda is one of the first certified cancer exercise trainers in the nation, contributing to many clinical trials with Yale University and is the trainer for the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT, along with her private practice. Linda@FitTraining.net https://www.fittraining.net/cancer-exercise
