Coping with Pandemic as a Patient

During difficult times such as pandemic or cancer diagnosis, one could be confronted with the unknown and uncertainty about what lies ahead. Routines would be disrupted and adjustments have to be made. Many of you have to adjust to these changes and some of you might even struggle to cope with this disruption – be it work, studies or lifestyles.

As cancer patients, you would have a lot to deal with before the pandemic began. Now, the anxiety of coping with a chronic condition and the threat of catching the infectious illness is creating additional stressors for patients handling both. All these stressors could lead to a build-up of emotions such as worry, anxiety, fears, sadness, frustrations or anger.

Taking Care of Your Mental Well-Being

While all these are normal and understandable emotional responses during sudden and difficult situations, multiple challenges can push you beyond your ability to cope. Over time, these could potentially affect your emotional and mental health.

Here are some ways to take care of your mental well-being.

1. Taking Care of Your Health
• Avoid crowds to reduce risks of infection.
• Reschedule non-urgent procedures to minimise hospital trips.
• Ensure sufficient medication and medical supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.
2. Taking Care of Your Body
• Eat well as staying healthy is important not only for your mental health but also for your resiliency to virus. Have ample rest by maintaining your bedtime routine.
• Stay motivated with outdoor exercises as time spent in nature is soothing for the body and mind.
• Maintain good personal hygiene and avoid sharing personal items such as utensils, towels etc.
3. Taking Care of Your Mind
• Take one day at a time as a lot of adjustments are needed during this period. Focus on what is within your control and understand that you don’t have to be 100% productive every day.
• Quiet your mind and express the silent voices within you though creative ways such as journaling, painting or singing.
• Practise gratitude and think about what you are grateful for. It’s a simple and effective way to cultivate well-being and life satisfaction.
4. Taking Care of Your Emotions
• Monitor your feelings and acknowledge whatever emotions you are experiencing.
• Be kind and compassionate to yourself as there are a lot of things happening to you, around you to be upset and scared about. You are doing whatever you can.
• Limit digital content that triggers unwelcomed emotions. Distressing and fake news do no good to your mental health.

Taking Control of Your Mental Well-Being

While there are many ways to take care of your mental well-being, there comes a point when the uncomfortable emotions become overwhelming and go beyond what you are capable of handling on your own.

In situations like this, understand that uncomfortable emotions you face are common experiences that most of us encounter too, and you are not alone. Importantly, know that you can always reach out for professional help and that it is okay to do so.