Forum Discussion
Ways to lower cortisol.
BCNA have organised an upcoming podcast with Sarah De Jonge offering ways to Set healthy boundaries. I am looking forward to adding this to my arsenal of ways to cut down on toxicity in my life.
Can anyone else share their experiences so we can help each other to lead less stressful lives in the busyness of our lives? My first change when I was diagnosed was to get out of a toxic work environment.
Can anyone else share their experiences so we can help each other to lead less stressful lives in the busyness of our lives? My first change when I was diagnosed was to get out of a toxic work environment.
30 Replies
- The old ‘use it before you lose it’ works too! For lots of things.
- Often for me life gets busy and I tend to let exercise take the lowest priority. I know in my head that exercise is good but knowing exactly how it benefits me gives me more motivation to prioritise it. I like to know the science of it, that's just me hehe.So in this documentary, the scientist shares evidence that eg when we work out, our muscles produce myokines which can have anti-cancer effect. One of them is called Sparc and it actually targets any bad cells in the colon thereby fighting against colorectal cancer from forming. I found that mindblowing. I have never heard that until I watched it in this documentary. That sure gave me some motivation to exercise! :DAnother scientist shared the science of how muscle mass (especially for those of us who are are older) helps with insulin sensitivity. I only knew that exercise increases insulin sensitivity but never really know how it all works. As we grow older we lose muscle mass and having muscle mass (which can be maintained by exercise) helps with warding off diabetes.
- Thanks @au0rei
Everything I have read points to exercise as being helpful in coping with a cancer diagnosis ( mental and physical) and helping cut down the chance of recurrence.
It doesn’t have to be a gym , whatever risks fie you, I do walking, swimming , Pilates and small weight and resistance training at home.
I go to a walk every day and feel so much better for it. - Exercise is really good and important. This video shares some amazing things about exercise which I did not even know until now. Hope it helps you lower cortisol too.
Oh I am a people pleaser too... we wear so many hats and play so many roles.. it is really hard to be everything to everybody. Though it is wonderful to try to help whoever we can whenever and do our best, but I have learn to guard my own heart and health. I never knew how to say no for a long time... now I do... and I never learn to express myself and now I do it better. I am definitely not there yet as I still struggle so much especially now that I am experiencing menopause and the symptoms are hard to manage.. I am trying to take it slowly and not be impatient with myself.Cath62 said:
I was a people pleaser too. I had to look deeper into myself to see why so I could stop it. I still need to be mindful of it but I am aware of it. It's a continuous process.
I am really pleased you brought up this topic. It's so important and I am sure is of benefit to many here.- Thanks @Cath62 :)
I was also going to say @FLCover - I’m also looking to possibly move too… partly by choice but also because I may have to. I’m renting in Melbourne and it’s a nightmare. I’m also single and prioritising my health for now.
I feel I have a lot on my mind so I think it will be great to attend the webinar :)
Always helpful chatting on here!! - Good on you @Kathryn2412. Bike riding is great. I have a bike but haven't been on it since chemo. I must get it out! Family is the hardest isn't it.
I am a bit different from my family. My thinking is very different to theirs and so I didn't really fit their mould. I use to feel rejected by them but the fact is I just didn't want to be part of their thinking and finally I am ok with who I am and my own beliefs.
I see them at family things which aren't often but i don't try to engage in what we don't have in common. I just get together with them and be happy for each others lives. We do have one sibling who doesn't come to anything at all and that's ok too. It took years for us to be ok about that.
I try not to have them my siblings in my home so I get more choice on how much time I have with them and that helps. But at the end of the day it was me that had to change so I didn't have all the anxiety about them. I hope you get some good ideas from that webinar. - I’m really looking forward to this webinar too!
I love the idea of setting healthy boundaries… all the time but particularly after a breast cancer diagnosis. I’ve started classes with an exercise physiologist and also bought a bike so I can cycle along the beach. I’m eating food that is healthy and fuels my body. I’m assertive when I need to be and try to make sure I’m surrounded by positive people. I’m looking forward to hearing about navigating family relationships as I find this is a challenge!! 😊 - Thank you @Cath62 because I see that even if some people are not contributing to this thread (and that is ok also), but it may provide some with reflections that may benefit others to read about others struggles. It sure is ongoing and I have to remind myself of my past and as a good friend reminded me when I got diagnosed said to me this is about YOU. I continued to be a people pleaser the year I was undergoing chemotherapy, as it can take a while to really understand that we need to have compassion for ourselves, and cut ourselves some slack.
Hopefully we keep gaining more wisdom as we journey through our life on this earth. xx - I am happy for you @Keeping_positive1. You sound like you have made big steps in boundary setting. I certainly had to as well. I think it is a life long thing and sometimes old habits are hard to stop. I have to work on it as issues arise.
I agree being a sole parent brings another layer of stress. It is hard in so many ways having sole responsibility for everything! I appreciate you would understand this.
I was a people pleaser too. I had to look deeper into myself to see why so I could stop it. I still need to be mindful of it but I am aware of it. It's a continuous process.
I am really pleased you brought up this topic. It's so important and I am sure is of benefit to many here.
