11 Hacks for Surviving the Holidays with Cancer
Make plans to get together with friends, family or co-workers.
Plan in advance how you want to spend your time, with whom, and for how long.
Strike a balance between socializing and having restorative time on your own.
Prioritize your activities. Which are most important to you? Accept a few offers and give yourself permission to decline others.
Make plans for days/ times you predict feeling best.
Leave room for an “out” in the event you are not up to it, or don’t feel well the day of.
Run your schedule by the medical team. See if they can accommodate travel or holiday plans.
Open the lines of communication.
Be upfront and honest with family and friends. They are not mind-readers… they often can’t know you are feeling overwhelmed, sad, etc. unless you tell them directly.
Identify trusted people you can share deeply with, and seek them out for support.
Ask for and accept offers of help.
Solicit help for planning holidays, food shopping, meal prep, and cleanup (*use plastic!*).
People want to help you—it achieves something concrete and also makes them feel useful.
Make a list.
Lists are helpful for organizing and remembering (and can be portable if on your phone).
Make a list of tasks and sort them into “need to” and “want to.” Attend to the “need to” tasks first and work your way over to the “want to” list if you have time and the energy.
Respect the limits of your body.
Before your cancer diagnosis, you may have channeled the holiday energy (cooking, decorating) of ten elves. Now, even small tasks may seem overwhelming. Acknowledge that you likely will not be able to do everything you did before.
It can be hard to be in the “holiday spirit.” Allow any/ all feelings to be present.
Be kind and compassionate to yourself; give your body a break for all it’s been through.
Prioritize a few things that are especially meaningful to you (e.g., trimming the tree).
Reduce energy expenditure: shop online and select the gift wrap option, send a mass holiday cards electronically rather than hand-writing, have a pot-luck dinner rather than cooking, etc.
Eat and drink in moderation.
How does one navigate the never-ending trays of sweets? Some small strategies: fill up your plate with fruits & veggies first, or eat a small, nutrient-dense meal beforehand.
Chemo-related side effects like nausea, taste changes, or mouth sores may make it hard to eat. Eat what you can (e.g., mashed potatoes, sweet potato pie).
Alternate between alcohol and water at parties (hydration lessens fatigue).
Make space for exercise and write it into your calendar.
Allow time for things you enjoy.
Engaging in your favorite activities will boost your mood: going to a movie or ball game, taking a hot bath, walking in nature, etc.
Be mindful of germs, especially if you are immunocompromised.
Being around family and friends can expose you to germs. As it is the cold/ flu season, it is particularly important to wash your hands often—bring hand sanitizer as a backup.
Prevent food poisoning: consult food safety guidelines and share with others.
Prepare for the post-holiday let-down.
You may feel fatigued, sad or lonely after a busy holiday season. Plan a few things to look forward to after the holidays, including some restorative activities to nurture your body and soul.
