helping yourself

what can help?

• Do things to make you feel better, things that you like doing, for example, listening to music, playing computer games or going out.
• Talking - some people find sharing how they are feeling is helpful. Try not to bottle things up. Although it is not always easy to meet others who have been through exactly the same experience, it can be good to talk to others who have had cancer. This could be at the hospital or through the share it section or somewhere like Teenage Cancer Trust or Cancer Voices or HAWC. They offer the chance to contact people going through similar experiences in different ways. You can get details of these in other stuff.
• Move around. Even when you are feeling fed up and unwell, it can really help to move about a bit. If you are mainly in your bedroom, try going to your front room/sitting room. Even if it is only for a short time, a change of scene can help.
• If you are mainly in one room, think about how you could change it, and, if possible, do it!
• Don't try and do too much. Having small targets can make them achievable and they can be something you can build on.
• If you are feeling up to it go out for a while. If you are at school or college, try to go in and see your friends, even if it is just for a while, say at lunchtime.
• Changes in your mood are very normal and just knowing this can be really helpful. Try talking to others who have been through a similar experience.
• Release any tension you do have. You can do this in many different ways. You could scream or shout out loud, turn your music up or write down how you are feeling. You could get your writing online in TIC's share it section.
• Try not to get over tired. When we are tired, our emotions can be even more intense.
• It is important that you find the best way for you to get by - and only you know what that is. It may be that you don't want to share your feelings or speak to anyone about what is happening. How you deal with it may also change, so that at different times you need different things.
• Complementary therapies can help you to relax and get rid of some of your stress. There are many different types of complementary therapies for you to choose from. Have a look at the Complementary therapies section for information on some of them.