Coping with a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming at times. The resources in this section provide tools and techniques to help you manage any stress and anxiety you may be experiencing.
Energy EFT, developed by Silvia Hartmann, is like acupuncture but without needles. It is based on the theory there are points on the body which we can tap on to relieve emotional/energy blockages in the body.
EFT helps us release past/present emotions that are holding us back. Our present emotions are influenced by past events – how we dealt with a similar situation in the past and the consequences. When we get nervous and stressed our body releases cortisol /stress hormones into our body. Increased cortisol in the body affects our ability to concentrate and focus and our ability to think rationally. We can use EFT to not only help us release the stress we felt as a result of a past event but also to give us the confidence we need to deal with a similar future situation.
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils. Essential oils work on a physical, emotional and spiritual level and may be used to help optimise health and wellbeing. Essential oils are highly concentrated substances, extracted from a variety of plants including herbs, shrubs, trees, spices and citrus fruits.
Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin or taken orally. There are a few ways that essential oils can be used.
1: Through smell – oils placed on a tissue, in a diffuser or in an aromastick.
2: Topically – oils should never be used directly on the skin but should be mixed with a cream or carrier oil such as coconut oil or grapeseed oil.
3: In a bath – if you are using essential oils in a bath mix first with a small amount of milk to help disperse the oil through the water. You only need to add 1-2 drops to be effective.
Some well-known essential oils include:
If you are making your own skin product – for every 10mls or 10 grams of cream/base oil use 1 drop of essential oil, this dosage represents less than 1%.
The video below gives you an overview of using aromatherapy oils safely.
This video explains the importance of self-care and provides you with examples of things that you can do to support yourself.
When facing stressful situations in life, how we view what we are experiencing can increase or minimise our stress. Reframing is a way to alter how we view the stressors in our lives, help relieve the signs of stress in our bodies and helps us to create a more positive life, even if we cannot actually make any changes in our circumstances.
Follow these simple steps to learn how to start reframing your thoughts:
Are they positive or negative? How does this affect how you feel and your level of anxiety? Does your mind race on thinking the worst-case scenario? What things trigger your negative thoughts? How often do you feel this way?
As you notice your negative thoughts, ask yourself – are they true? Will they or have they happened? Are there opportunities in your situation for personal growth? Instead of seeing things the way you always have, challenge every negative thought and see how this could be viewed differently – in a more positive light.
How can you change your negative thoughts to something more positive? How you can learn from the situation? What have been the good things that have happened as a result of past similar situations? Think about what you would say to a friend in a similar situation. Many of us spend too much time dwelling on past mistakes – how can we talk to ourselves in a kinder way? Even the most painful circumstances can teach us positive lessons. Look for the ‘gift’ in every situation.
Examples
Thought – I feel lonely and miss my friends. Reframe – but I will see them again.
Thought – I’ll do what makes me happy someday. Reframe – I will pursue something today that makes me happy.
Thought – There is so much that could go wrong. Reframe – there is so much that could go right.
Thought – I am too unhappy to make anyone else happy. Reframe – When you catch yourself feeling unhappy do something that makes someone else happy. Happiness is a boomerang.
Thought – This is a really bad time I am going through. Reframe – I’ve made it through bad times before I can do it again.
Explore a recent negative event or thought. How can you reframe that situation /thought?
Developed by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930’s, Bach Flower Remedies gives you a simple way to manage everyday emotions and feel more yourself. They are safe for use with adults and children.
There are a range of 38 different Bach Flower Remedies, each dealing with a different emotion. Remedies can be combined into a unique and personal blend to meet your specific support needs. Many people have heard of, or used, Rescue Remedy, which is a Bach Flower blend of 5 of the 38 remedies available.
For more detailed information on the range of Bach Flower Remedies, go to: https://www.bachcentre.com
The video below gives an overview of some of the common Bach Flower remedies used in Action Cancer.
