Living Well

A healthy lifestyle can benefit you before, during, and after cancer treatment. Use this action deck to build skills for everyday healthy living.

Action Cards

Stress & Mood

Practice Mindfulness & Relaxation

Cancer and its treatment can be stressful—for you and your caregivers. Practicing mindfulness and relaxation can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and sharpen your ability to focus.

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Enjoy simple pleasures. Enjoy your favorite food, or listen to your favorite song.

Was enjoying simple pleasures helpful?
Take a walk outside. Walk slowly. Notice what you see, hear, and smell.

Was taking a walk outside helpful?
Practice deep conscious breathing. Sit in a quiet spot for a few minutes. Notice your breath.

Was practicing deep conscious breahting helpful?

Check This Out

Visit the Springboard page on Mindfulness and Relaxation.
Learn the health benefits of relaxation.
Get a message of hope for the person who has cancer.
Learn helpful relaxation skills.

Fear of Recurrence

When cancer comes back after treatment and after a period when cancer was not found in your body, it’s called a recurrence. Most cancer survivors experience a fear of recurrence.

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Adjust to a new normal. You may find yourself making changes in the ways you do things.

Was adjusting to a new normal helpful?
Be informed. Ask your doctor for a list of common signs of recurrence.

Was being informed helpful?
Join a peer group. Find support and useful ideas from others that might help you.

Was joining a peer group helpful?

Check This Out

Visit the Springboard page on Fear of Recurrence.
Learn more about living with the fear of cancer recurrence and finding a new normal.
Get the answers to frequently asked questions about fear of recurrence.

Wellness

Sun Safety

When skin is exposed to too much sunlight, it becomes susceptible to skin cancer, but there are many things you can do to protect your skin and help prevent skin cancer.

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Use sunscreen correctly. Choose sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and put it on 30 minutes before going in the sun. Put on more sunscreen every 2 hours, especially after swimming or exercise.

Was using sunscreen helpful?
Keep your skin covered. Wear a hat with a brim and clothing that keeps your skin from being overexposed to sun.

Was keeping your skin covered helpful?
Examine your skin. Check your own skin once a month. Contact your doctor if you notice any changes.

Was examining your skin helpful?

Check This Out

Visit the Springboard page Sun Safety.
Try following these step-by-step instructions to examine your own skin.
Follow these tips for sun protection to help prevent skin cancer.

Healthy Eating

Eating well can help you feel and live better during and after treatment. Here are some tips to help you.

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Work with a specialist. Ask a dietitian to help you create a nutritious, balanced eating plan.

Was working with a specialist helpful?
Shop smart. Stock your kitchen with healthy foods.

Was shopping smart helpful?
Practice mindful eating. Don’t get too hungry before you eat. Stop eating when you’re full.

Was practicing mindful eating helpful?

Check This Out

Visit the Springboard page Eat Healthy.
Sign up for HealthyYouTXT.
Watch these videos on healthy eating, acting, and living.
Learn more about nutrition after treatment ends.

Quit Smoking

Although it may seem overwhelming to quit smoking while you’re dealing with cancer treatment or recovery, it’s never too late to quit.

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Build a quit plan. Set your quit date. Choose your reasons for quitting. Prepare to fight cravings.

Was building a quit plan helpful?
Explore nicotine replacement options. These provide nicotine that can help you fight cravings.

Was exploring nicotine replacement options helpful?
Stay active. Find ways to fit regular exercise into your life.

Was staying active helpful?

Check This Out

Visit the Springboard page Quit Smoking.
Download the QuitGuide app on your mobile phone.
Sign up for the SmokefreeTXT text messaging program.
Build your Quit Plan online.

Be Active

Exercise is not only safe and possible during cancer treatment, but it can improve how well you function physically and your quality of life.

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Do physical activity. Being physically active for even just a few minutes a day is helpful.

Was doing physical activity helpful?
Begin with warm-up exercises. Start slowly and warm up for at least 2 to 3 minutes.

Was beginning with warm-up exercises helpful?