10 Coping Strategies for Breast Cancer Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic
So you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer during the Coronavirus pandemic. Your personal health crisis has suddenly collided with a public health crisis. What do you do?
Consider these strategies during this doubly stressful time.
Give yourself a break. It is an extremely stressful time for the average person, and in addition you are dealing with a serious health issue
Recognize stress and anxiety. It’s normal to be worried about the pandemic AND your breast cancer. Notice, experience, and accept your emotions without judgment.
Limit your news intake. This means limiting news about the coronavirus to trusted sources and less than one hour per day. Apply the same to your research on breast cancer. Resist the urge to “go down the rabbit hole.”
Practice physical distancing but not social distancing. Keep yourself safe by staying at home and limiting social contact, but stay in touch virtually. Many breast cancer patients miss the contact from supports that they would have expected at this time, so make sure you reach out by phone or video chat frequently.
Talk to your team about safety. Hospitals are taking strong measures to keep you safe during treatments. Ask your team what steps are be taken, and follow recommended guidelines for hand washing, avoiding touching surfaces, social distancing, and mask wearing during your visits.
Tolerate uncertainty. As the world struggles with the uncertainty of containing the virus, you may also be coping with uncertainty about your treatment plan or outcomes. Concentrating on one step at a time or shorter amounts of time (the next two weeks), may help you feel more in control.
Practice exceptional self-care. You will probably need to more than your usual stress management at this time. Make sure you are getting exercise, time outside at a safe distance from others, add yoga or meditation, do art, music and hobbies, binge your favorite show.
Stay present. Avoid catastrophizing and ruminating about the future. Find moments of joy in the here and now, and focus on what’s in your control.
Keep structure and routine. If you’re off work or working from home, your routine may feel disrupted and it may be hard to get motivated. Introduce a new routine including time for work, exercise, breaks, and connection with others.
Recognize accomplishments. Remember: going to treatment, exercising, and wiping down your surfaces are all accomplishments that take energy. Some days taking a shower will be an accomplishment. Write down at least three accomplishments daily for a mood boost.
Using these tips may help to add to the coping strategies you already using. However, if you are noticing distress that is not going away, you may want to talk to a behavioral health provider with your team such as a psychologist or social worker.
