Can stress management help with cancer fatigue?

Can stress management help with cancer fatigue?

Managing stress can play an important role in combating fatigue. Here are some ways you can manage stress:

• Adjust your expectations. For example, if you have a list of 10 things you want to accomplish today, pare it down to two and leave the rest for other days. A sense of accomplishment goes a long way to reducing stress.
• Help others to understand and support you. Family and friends can be helpful if they can "put themselves in your shoes" and understand what cancer fatigue means for you. Cancer support groups can be a source of support as well. Other people with cancer truly understand what you are going through.
• Relaxation techniques including guided meditation, deep breathing or visualization can help reduce stress and minimize cancer fatigue.
• Divert your attention. Activities that divert your attention away from fatigue can also be helpful. Activities that require little physical energy but demand attention include knitting, reading or listening to music.

If your stress feels overwhelming, talk to your healthcare provider. They are there to help.