Guide to Healthy Living: Physical Health
“A few months after my final remission, I’d go to the gym and struggle with just the bar,” says Hodgkin lymphoma survivor Mark in this video. “I had so much to rebuild.”
Everyone experiences cancer in a different way. And when it comes to a path forward after treatment, one size does not fit all. But three areas of physical health—nutrition, physical activity, and sleep—are important for everyone who has cancer now or had it in the past. They are key to your recovery and well-being.
Finding your “new normal” after cancer is a journey. That’s where this guide comes in. You’ll find expert information, practical tips, and trusted resources that will help you and your care partners come up with a plan that feels right for where you are today.
Our guide can help you—
- Understand how healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep can have a positive effect on your health.
- Learn about problems that many people with cancer face.
- Identify your specific needs and challenges so you feel more comfortable talking about them.
- Find experts in your community who can help you start and keep healthy habits.
- Get tips for providing care for a person with cancer.
Tips for Staying Healthy
When your treatment is finished, your doctor may tell you to get checkups or tests in the future. This is called follow-up care. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. These tests can help find early signs of a new cancer or the return of the same cancer.
For more tips on how to lower the chance that your cancer will come back, visit Staying Healthy After Cancer Treatment.
After cancer, it may not be easy to eat well, but it’s important. A healthy diet can help you feel better, regain your strength and energy, and reduce your risk for serious health problems.
If you keep a healthy weight and stay physically active during and after your cancer treatment, you may have a lower risk of having cancer come back. Start small and try to build up to 30 minutes of movement a day.
Many people with cancer have trouble sleeping. Healthy sleep habits can help.
Caregiving can take a toll on your own health. You can find ways to make healthy choices.