Navigating Through Challenging Times
Currently we are in unprecedented times and the whole world has been affected by a silent killer. For those of us who are currently going through cancer treatment, the Corona Virus has created a higher immediate threat, potentially building more stress on an already emotional roller coaster ride than a diagnosis creates. It is now more important than ever to maintain optimism in this ever-changing environment, a time where we need to go inwards to build our inner strength and calm our fearful minds.
Not since World War II over 75 years ago, have we had closures of businesses, lockdown and self-isolation enforced by the government. It is a little harder to comprehend when it is an invisible threat as opposed to the visible trauma war presents. The ever-changing laws and instructions from government can be unsettling and therefore adaptation can be confusing, especially when we are attempting to create some kind of structure under already abnormal circumstances dealing with cancer treatment.
Constant media coverage of this topic alone can create a huge amount of fear. A cancer diagnosis is scary enough, dealing with both can be monumental.
So how do we get around this, how do we navigate both a diagnosis and the threat COVID19 and maintain equilibrium in body mind and spirit? First determine where fear is coming from both internally and externally. The media produces a huge amount of fear, so the first step would be to switch off the TV and step away from the constant reminder. These are scary and uncertain times but the big news outlets aren’t helping, they are fear mongering with the constant reporting.
If you must stay abreast of what is happening, give yourself just one hour a day to watch the news. Remember if we have to look really hard, there are always more reasons to hope than fear.
The best way to deal with this virus itself is prevention, self-isolation, washing of hands and taking immune boosting supplements approved by your doctor, juicing and eating healthy is a start to make some positive changes. This also includes maintain a healthy mindset, high stress has been linked to low immunity and this is an extremely important aspect to monitor. Being active in prevention, brings a sense of control but also sometimes all you can control is how well you let go of control.
The lockdowns are an opportunity to slow our lives down and spend time with our family. It is a privilege we may not see again in this lifetime. It is an opportunity to rest, reset and prioritise your purpose and people in your life.
You’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home, just one word can change your attitude.
Will we ever get this opportunity again in our lifetime where we are on enforced downtime? Use the time to be creative and do the things you’ve not been able to do due to lack of time constraints. Whilst there will be moments of frustration, spend the time to re-evaluate your life and refocus.
Daily meditation is a powerful tool proven to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, lower blood pressure and boost the immunity. There are many free guided mediations available online through YouTube and similar sources on the internet.
It is a way to train your mind to redirect your thoughts to a more positive mindset and reduce stress which in turn controls the fear that replays over and over. It is the unknown which is scary, but what if you determine your future by manifesting it through deliberate thought? Many studies have concluded that it is within the mind where our greatest strength of all lies. Spending time seeing your future ahead of you where you are on the other side of this diagnosis and living a healthy happy life.
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change”
Cancer can be seen as an opportunity to change your life and that which no longer serves you. Improving your lifestyle and diet with more fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system, exercising and becoming mindful is a great place to start.
Write a list of ten things that make you happy and keep the list on the fridge to help remind you of what you can do to lift your spirits when on the going gets tough. Perhaps a candle lit bath, meditation, watching a comedy, cooking, yoga, painting, photography, writing, phone a friend, dancing, exercise, knitting, whatever it is that brings joy to you.
Surround yourself with new loving and empowering people.
Empower yourself.
I have utilised my cancer journey to completely rebuild my life from the ground up and look at it like a gift, a second chance at life to change what wasn’t working for me previously.
Adversity is an opportunity for growth and gratitude.
Life will go back to normal, a new normal and one that will take adjusting to.
If you start now with a different mindset to the challenges of both cancer and the lockdowns, you have a greater chance of adjusting to the new normal.
Visualise your new future of creating all that you have dreamed of, if not now, when?
This recent photo of Doctor Chinedu Simeon Aruah was taken at the 63rd United Nations General Assembly in Vienna, Austria September 2019, where he represented Nigeria.
