Celebrating Life: Living After Cancer

While surviving cancer can bring up a range of different emotions, remember that all these feelings are valid. Allow yourself to process these emotions without judgment.

Prioritizing Mental Health

Your mental health deserves as much attention as your physical recovery. Through your cancer journey, seeking out professional support, like therapists specializing in cancer survivorship, can provide valuable tools. Practicing mindfulness, like meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling, can help manage anxiety. You can also help express complex emotions through creative expressions like art, music, or writing. You should also make sure you are prioritizing setting boundaries, which means learning to say no to protect your energy, as a form of self-care.

Lean on Your Support System

The people who stood by you during treatment remain essential during recovery. To be able to lean on them, you should communicate your needs. People often want to help but don't know how. Aim to be specific about what you need. You can do this by allowing others to support you. It isn't weakness; it's connection. Finally, educate loved ones and help them understand that recovery continues long after treatment ends.

Maintaining Physical Health

Your body has been through an incredible challenge, and rebuilding physical strength takes time:

• Start small: Begin with gentle activities like short walks or stretching.

• Listen to your body: Rest when needed without guilt, recovery isn't linear.

• Stay nourished: Focus on whole foods that support healing.

• Celebrate progress: Acknowledge improvements, however small they might seem.

At New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, we understand that surviving cancer is just the beginning of your journey. Our dedicated support staff is always there for you! Celebrate not just survival, but the courage it takes to embrace life after cancer, with all its complexities, challenges, and joys.