Cancer and Fitness- The Benefits Are Endless
There remains little doubt to this day as to the importance of fitness and exercise for a healthy mind and body. The vast majority of doctors recommend exercise as a vital addendum to an all over health regime. There are many known and well-studied benefits that exercise has on all bodies: lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular endurance, better flexibility and more muscular strength. Exercise has a whole other effect on our mental capacities as well: it reduces the occurrence of depression and low self-esteem, and increases confidence and motivation.
Despite these known benefits, often the last thing that cancer patients of any kind want to do is exercise. Whether one is suffering from a more common disease like breast cancer or a rare one like mesothelioma, exercise does have some tremendous benefits if done properly and to one’s own level. But, it is of the utmost importance, as physical fitness can play a vital role in fighting the disease and getting you back into health. The harshness of traditional cancer treatments of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery can be alleviated by engaging in a total health program - with proper diet and exercise, these treatment can be made much more effective. Exercise not only improves your health, but also gives patients a sense of control over their bodies during a time when many feel things are out of their control. This is an important psychological effect to consider when medical physicians are prescribing treatment.
Physical exercise can strengthen the bones, which cancer (and old age) more often than not take a toll on. If your bones are stronger and healthier, then the negative effects of cancer will be very lessened. Exercise also provides an opportunity for patients to engage in social activity - another important component of full body health. Social engagement, in a healthy environment such as exercise classes or the gym, provides another important component, and that is a social support web.
With much research having been focused on the benefits of exercise specifically for cancer treatment, it has been found that any exercise is the best exercise. Patients need not go through the perceived hassle of signing up for and joining a gym - walking out the front door and going for a brisk walk (or run if you are up to it) is considered moderate exercise. Patients can easily purchase personal free weights to lift in the comfort of their own home. Yoga mats, and home yoga video programs, make it easy to do in the living room. Many exercise beginners may want to find a workout partner - this often makes it easier to find the drive to exercise, as the partners motivate each other and can provide a push if one person finds their drive flagging.
Many patients think that rest is needed to regain strength - but the truth is that rest can make one weak. Exercise is the best answer. And given the many physical, physiological, and psychological benefits, as well as the ease with which a broad range of exercise can be had, there remain no excuses to be inactive!
Despite these known benefits, often the last thing that cancer patients of any kind want to do is exercise. Whether one is suffering from a more common disease like breast cancer or a rare one like mesothelioma, exercise does have some tremendous benefits if done properly and to one’s own level. But, it is of the utmost importance, as physical fitness can play a vital role in fighting the disease and getting you back into health. The harshness of traditional cancer treatments of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery can be alleviated by engaging in a total health program - with proper diet and exercise, these treatment can be made much more effective. Exercise not only improves your health, but also gives patients a sense of control over their bodies during a time when many feel things are out of their control. This is an important psychological effect to consider when medical physicians are prescribing treatment.
Physical exercise can strengthen the bones, which cancer (and old age) more often than not take a toll on. If your bones are stronger and healthier, then the negative effects of cancer will be very lessened. Exercise also provides an opportunity for patients to engage in social activity - another important component of full body health. Social engagement, in a healthy environment such as exercise classes or the gym, provides another important component, and that is a social support web.
With much research having been focused on the benefits of exercise specifically for cancer treatment, it has been found that any exercise is the best exercise. Patients need not go through the perceived hassle of signing up for and joining a gym - walking out the front door and going for a brisk walk (or run if you are up to it) is considered moderate exercise. Patients can easily purchase personal free weights to lift in the comfort of their own home. Yoga mats, and home yoga video programs, make it easy to do in the living room. Many exercise beginners may want to find a workout partner - this often makes it easier to find the drive to exercise, as the partners motivate each other and can provide a push if one person finds their drive flagging.
Many patients think that rest is needed to regain strength - but the truth is that rest can make one weak. Exercise is the best answer. And given the many physical, physiological, and psychological benefits, as well as the ease with which a broad range of exercise can be had, there remain no excuses to be inactive!
Dina, anytime you need a walking buddy just let me know!
ReplyDelete-Becca