5 Tips for Living Well from Our DC Office

August 23, 2017
black woman wearing a blue scarf and smiling outside

With the summer months swimming by, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) HQ staff would like to share 5 tips for some inspiration to healthy living.

NOTE*: These tips, based solely on opinion, are in no way meant to provide any medical or professional advice.

1.Your skin is your shield.

Wear sunscreen because year-round sun safety is important.

We must remember that no matter the time of year or weather, we should wear sunscreen. Protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure is a great way to stay healthy. Read a piece about a CSC staffer’s personal experience with melanoma on our CSC blog.

2. Your body is your temple.

A balanced diet and exercise can transform the way in which your body feels and performs on a daily basis.

Maintaining a regular, balanced diet can be difficult with how busy we get. Changing the ways in which we consume food and the kinds of food you eat can start with a few simple things like: making a list before you grocery shop, meal-prepping to save time and money, and consuming daily amounts of recommended protein to help control appetite.

You can also switch your meals up now-and-then by going meatless on Meatless Mondays. One of our CSC Administrative staff members, Sarah Suettinger, suggests “eating the rainbow” by incorporating as many colors into your diet through a variation of fruits and veggies throughout the week.

Even for just 30 minutes of your day, walk when possible. Whether that means taking a lap around the park during your lunch break, walking around a hospital or clinic, or getting off the bus a few stops early; a little bit of fresh air can go a long way. Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at CSC, Elizabeth Franklin, suggests to always keeping flip flops or comfortable shoes with you so you can get those extra steps in.

 

3. Your mind is your weapon.

Take a “you-day” by engaging in mental health awareness and doing the things you love.

Education Coordinator, Chelsea Johnson, suggests that after meeting challenges that affect your mental well-being, you should take a day for self-care. Ask questions like: How do I feel? What could make today better? These types of questions can help you gauge your mental wellbeing.

A great way to come to peace with any stressors and create a mental balance would be to try meditation. Cancer and Policy Institute (CPI) recent policy intern, Kyle Gasaway, suggested adding in 10-20 minutes of meditation into your day to help calm your mind, ease any stress you may be feeling, and truly place some perspective on how to handle or deal with a situation you may be having.

 

4. Your soul is your story.

Experience is the opportunity to share your story and elevate your voice.

Sharing your story could be helpful to yourself and to others. You can start by documenting your life and your thoughts. You can engage in daily or weekly journaling, blogging, or photo-taking—anyway you want to document your life and your thoughts.

Another way to share your story and make a difference is to join the Cancer Experience Registry, a movement to share the patient voice by providing opportunities for patients and their caregivers to communicate about their personal experiences with cancer and help create a pathway for learning for others.

 

5. Your community is your bridge.

Maintaining your network of your peers, family, friends, and health care professionals paves the way for a support system.

It’s always good to stay social and rely on your team to provide a sense of connection, community, and support. At CSC, we believe that your ‘team’ is one of the most powerful tools to utilize for support. Whether your team consists of your closest friends; family members; work colleagues; school peers; or health care providers; your network of support will bridge the gap between your concerns and your wellbeing.

 

NOTE*: These tips, based solely on opinion, are in no way meant to provide any medical or professional advice.