5 Tips for Creating an Exercise Routine for Cancer Patients
Being diagnosed with cancer can impact your ability to live a normal life and your ability to be physically active. To maintain physical health while receiving treatment for cancer, patients need to explore alternative forms of exercise.
Exercise reduces fatigue, increases energy levels, and boosts mental health. It contributes positively to patients’ recovery. The following tips can help in developing a safe, effective, and achievable exercise program that meets your needs.
1. Start Small and Build Slowly
One of the most common mistakes made by newly diagnosed cancer patients is trying to resume pre-diagnosis levels of physical activity too soon. Cancer treatment greatly affects the patient’s strength, energy, and endurance. You should begin with shorter and lighter exercise sessions, like five to 10 minutes of easy walking, stretching, or mobility exercises.
Once the body begins to adjust to treatment, progressively increase the time and intensity of exercise. The objective of the exercise isn’t to achieve peak performance. It is to achieve predictable results.
2. Work Under a Physician‘s Care
Working out with an active cancer diagnosis is very personal. Different diagnoses, treatments, and side effects require different approaches. Getting assessed by a physician or professional help from Mesothelioma Hope, for instance, is important before initiating exercise.
Many will also find it necessary to work with a physical therapist or certified exercise professional who specializes in training those with an active cancer diagnosis. These professionals can help to develop a tailored exercise plan based on the following:
- The stage of treatment
- Energy level
- Risk level for injury or infection
- Present or previous physical restrictions
This allows for optimal recovery through your exercise regimen as opposed to compromising recovery.
3. Focus on Low-Impact Workouts
High-intensity exercises are not needed and are often discouraged. Instead, focus on low-impact activities that are beneficial for your daily life. Low-impact exercise options include:
- Walking
- Gentle yoga or stretching
- Light resistance training
- Breathing and balance exercises
These activities can help people maintain their muscle strength, joint flexibility, and circulation without putting undue stress on their bodies. Practicing functional movements such as standing up out of a chair or improving your balance can also make it easier and safer to complete daily tasks.
4. Listen to Your Body and Not Just the Plan
One of the most common side effects associated with cancer treatments is fatigue. It doesn’t follow a schedule, so staying flexible is important. On some days, your entire exercise routine may seem doable. Other days, even very light forms of movement may seem impossible. Both are completely normal reactions to cancer treatments. Look for signs of overexertion, such as:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- A continual pain you cannot explain
- Extreme fatigue
When you feel like you need to rest, then rest. Remember that progress is seldom linear, and that pushing through discomfort may cause you more harm than good.
5. Make Mental and Emotional Benefits a Priority
Exercise can provide more than physical benefits. It also helps you develop emotional resiliency. Movement can lessen feelings of anxiety, allow you to sleep better, and create a sense of control in an otherwise unstable environment.
Establishing a consistent routine can help you to stay on track mentally and give you a more structured environment. Activities like going for a walk outside or practicing focused stretching give you a short period of time where you can take a breath and regain clarity.
End note
Developing an exercise routine during your cancer treatment is not about reaching certain fitness goals. It is about being kind and compassionate to your body by creating a reasonable and realistic routine. The most important aspect of this process is changing the way that you view exercise from being an added burden to being an extra support mechanism.
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.