What can you do to improve your mental health?

What can you do to improve your mental health?

As a man, you might find it difficult to talk about your feelings. That’s okay if you are comfortable with it. But it is very important that you do not try to “endure” mental stress. Just as pain can become a long-term problem, mental distress can also become persistent and negatively affect your therapy.

The following things can help you:

• Be aware that it is normal to feel upset and stressed.
• It can be very helpful to write down your thoughts – even for only yourself to read.
• Even though it can be difficult at first, talking can really help. Talk to your family, friends, acquaintances, your treatment team or other poeple in your situation. You could also take advantage of the many support services offered by cancer counselling centres and self-help groups.
• Exercise, art and meditation can also help to clear your head.
• Try to free yourself from thoughts of guilt.

Author: Dr. Volker Henn| Reviewer: Dr. Christian Keinki

Sources:

• Mental health and cancer. (2022, November 7). Cancer Research UK. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/mental-health-cancer
• Zhu, C., & Boutros, P. C. (2021). Sex Differences in Cancer Genomes: Much Learned, More Unknown. Endocrinology, 162(11). https://doi.org/10.1210/endocr/bqab170
• Rubin, J. B. (2022). The spectrum of sex differences in cancer. Trends in Cancer, 8(4), 303–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.013
• Cancer and your emotions. (2019b, February 28). Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/coping-with-treatment/cancer-and-your-emotions
• Managing Distress. (2020, February 3). American Cancer Society. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/emotional-mood-changes/distress/managing-distress.html