🌱Wednesday Wellness - 06May26 - Sleep Health😴
Rest • Restore • Recharge This week, we’re focusing on something essential for overall wellbeing, including during and after cancer treatment: quality sleep. Sleep is not just switching off. It is a vital process that supports how your body heals and your mind copes. Good sleep helps with energy, mood, concentration, and recovery, all of which are especially important for people living with cancer. 🌙 Why Sleep Matters For people affected by cancer, sleep can often be disrupted. Factors like treatment side effects, stress, anxiety, or changes in routine can all play a role. When sleep is impacted, you may notice: Low energy and fatigue Difficulty concentrating or remembering Feeling irritable or emotionally overwhelmed Reduced ability to cope day to day Sleep is a key part of supporting both physical healing and emotional resilience. Many people affected by cancer experience insomnia. This may include: Trouble falling asleep Waking during the night Waking too early and not getting back to sleep Feeling fatigued but unable to sleep 💙 It is important to know that these challenges are common and support is available. 🌱 Small Changes, Big Impact While sleep challenges can feel overwhelming, small steps can support better rest: ✨ Keep a consistent sleep and wake time where possible ✨ Create a gentle wind down routine before bed ✨ Limit caffeine, alcohol, and screen time in the evening ✨ Make your sleep space as comfortable and calming as you can ✨ Allow yourself time to relax both physically and mentally Even small, consistent changes can help improve sleep over time. 🧠Support and Resources If sleep is a challenge, you are not alone, and there are trusted resources available: Sleep Health Foundation (CAN-SLEEP) https://can-sleep.org.au/patient-resources/introduction/ THIS WAY UP insomnia support https://thiswayup.org.au/what-we-treat/insomnia These resources provide practical, evidence-based strategies to better understand sleep and manage insomnia. 💬 Take a Moment Check in with yourself today: 👉 How has your sleep been recently? 👉 What is one small change you could try this week? Sleep is not a luxury. It is part of caring for your body and mind, especially during challenging times. Be gentle with yourself this week and know that it is okay to prioritise rest where you can 😴
Feeling anxious and insomnia post treatment .
Hi, Ruth here, living in Cannonvalley, Queensland. I had r/o small cancer surgery and Radiotherapy 4 months ago. I thought I was doing well and went back to work, part time. Then collapsed in a mess of anxiety and insomnia, one feeding the other. So hard to get help and support. My G.P said - oh just meditate or listen to a podcast if you can't sleep!! That makes it worse and I get more anxiety. Then facing people who know me and they say you look so well, but you just want to curl up and cry. I am now off sick and started some medication and some counselling. I would love to connect to other Members suffering the same. I listened to Dr Charlotte podcast number 6 and thought it was great.
