Exploring creative outlets
Finding ways to make your daily life more enjoyable can help distract you from cancer’s physical symptoms, reduce distress, and restore hope. Activities that involve creativity can improve feelings of self-worth and well-being.
Let music soothe your soul
Listen to music that evokes pleasant memories or gives an emotional lift.
Color your world
Take a painting, drawing, pottery, or photography class.
Write away your worries
Studies show that expressing difficult thoughts through words on paper can help lower stress, boost mood, and reduce physical symptoms.
Laugh out loud
Experts believe that when a person laughs, the body decreases stress-related hormones and releases endorphins, the chemicals in the brain that help control pain.
Struggling with your illness while trying to manage a career can be a challenge. You may be tempted to quit your job, but try not to make any snap decisions. Aside from your medical benefits and, of course, your paycheck, your job may be a key part of your social life and your coworkers may provide a strong source of support. Whether you can continue working during treatment depends on the type of therapy you receive, your cancer’s stage, and your work. Some people can continue their normal activities; others will need to limit them. Take these steps to help manage both your job and your illness:
- Ask your doctor what to expect. How might your treatment plan affect your ability to do your job? What activities might you have to restrict? Is it likely you’ll need to take time off?
- Consider telling your employer. If you need to adjust your activities or take time off, it may help for your employer to know why. Give your employer only as much information as needed about your condition.
- Explore your work options. Suggest to your employer that perhaps you might work from home occasionally or negotiate a reduced schedule or more flexible hours.
- Think about telling your coworkers. Cancer may make you feel isolated. You may discover someone has already walked in your shoes.
- Schedule treatments carefully. Plan your chemotherapy sessions for late in the day or before a weekend to reduce the number of days you may need to miss work.
- Consider a temporary leave. If you need extended time off from work, find out whether you have disability insurance, which can provide some wage replacement. Learn whether the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off, covers your company. Federal and state laws protect your rights on the job. If you encounter trouble, talk to a social worker to learn your options.
