Providing Hope to Cancer Patients this Winter
The winter months can be draining for many people. The holidays have come and gone, leaving only the colder months of winter to follow. For those who are going through breast cancer treatment, the winter months can be especially difficult. Learn how to help your loved ones through these winter months with these five tips.
Encourage Staying Active
Staying active is a great way to help avoid the “winter blues,” or seasonal affective disorder. The winter blues can make the already fragile mental state of cancer patients much worse. Be sure to consult with your doctor before incorporating any new exercise routines, but flexibility exercises, aerobic, and resistance training are all great ways to keep moving. It is important to remember your exercise routine could look very different from your pre-cancer routine and that is all right!
Brighten their Day
Another way to combat seasonal affective disorder is through the use of light. Although getting outdoors isn’t always an option during the winter months, make it a priority to find bright rooms to spend time in. Adding additional light to your day can help boost your mood and improve your sleep.
Help the Winter Blues
Cancer patients are oftentimes more sensitive to the cold, making the winter more difficult to withstand. Help your loved ones stay warm by making sure they have all the essentials. Light gloves, thick socks, head wraps, neck warmers, and sweaters are all great items to keep them cozy.
Be sure to check out Vera Bradley’s cozy blankets to help warm your loved ones this winter!
Relieve the Winter Dryness
As the humidity drops during the winter, skin can turn dry, itchy, or even cracked. These symptoms can be found more common for those going through chemotherapy treatments. Help your skin by applying moisturizers and avoiding harsh soaps and detergents. Drinking a lot of fluids and using a humidifier in your home is also recommended to provide hydration to your skin.
Show Them You’re There
One of the most important ways to support a loved one with breast cancer this winter is to simply check-in and be there for them. Allow them to talk about their cancer when they want to, but also allow them the freedom to talk about other topics they enjoy. You can also show them that you are there for them by helping with whatever they need. Whether it’s making a meal or doing chores around the house, show your loved ones that you are eager to walk alongside them.
These five tips are just some of the ways you can help a loved one with cancer this winter. The Vera Bradley Foundation also offers Gifts of Hope boxes that include a throw blanket, travel mug, journal, cookies, and a special message for your loved one, making it the perfect gift to show them your thinking of them. To receive or gift a Gifts of Hope box, just make a donation of $100 or more using this special Gifts of Hope link.
If you are looking for other ways to get involved with the search for a cure, visit our Ways to Help page to learn more!