The start of the holiday season is just a few days away. Â Thanksgiving seems to release a wave of Holiday shopping and madness that extends all the way until Christmas day here in the US.
As a young adult cancer survivor, patient, or caregiver, taking time to check in and slow down is essential during the busy holiday season. Â How can you help create a season of cheer for those around you if you don’t take care of your own cheer first? Â Here is a lovely reminder to stop. Â Slow down. Â Savor time spent by yourself, with friends, or with family. Â Create space for breath and calm.
The holidays can seem overwhelming to a young adult cancer survivor.  Often your family treats your illness (or lack of illness) in a different way than might be helpful.  Maybe they question every cough that you have.  Maybe they act as if everything is (or should be) back to the way things were before. Regardless, spending so much time with family or groups of family and friends, may be a slightly stressful way to spend your time.  Arming yourself with a strategy to comfort and calm your body can go a long way to shaping the holiday that you want to experience!
When I need to take some time for myself, or time with fewer people at least (in a season of holiday gatherings), I schedule a coffee date, arrange for a walk in the woods, go for a jog around the neighborhood, or hide myself away for a little while to read a book.
Are you a young adult cancer survivor with some tips on how to slow down during the busy times of the year? Â Tell us how!
In fact…can you do nothing for 2 minutes?
