Right now, you might be facing more than you ever imagined. Treatment schedules, medical appointments, side effects, and emotional exhaustion can make even simple daily tasks feel monumental. When your doctor mentions lifestyle changes or when well-meaning articles talk about "healthy habits," it can feel like one more impossible thing on an already overwhelming list.
But here's what we've learned from working with our patients here at Astera Cancer Care: lasting change doesn't require perfection or dramatic transformations. It starts with small, manageable steps that fit into your real life, right where you are today.
Think about it this way: if you're recovering from treatment and have little energy to shower, committing to an hour at the gym isn't realistic. But you could sit outside for five minutes and breathe fresh air or do gentle stretches while watching TV. These aren't "just" small steps. They're building blocks. Each one tells your body and mind that you're moving forward, even if it's inch by inch.
Maybe your doctor mentioned changes to your diet, but cooking feels exhausting. At Astera, we often tell our patients to start simple. Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter. Add one vegetable to dinner. Drink an extra glass of water. These small wins add up without draining your energy.
Setting yourself up for success means removing obstacles, not creating new ones. If you're trying to eat better but grocery shopping tires you, ask someone to help. If you want to move more but leaving the house feels overwhelming, start in your living room.
The people who care about you want to help, even if they don't always know how. Telling them specific ways they can support your goals makes it easier for everyone. Whether it’s having someone to walk with you, text you encouragement, or simply listen when things feel hard. Remember, your journey affects them, too.
You might not notice the changes day by day. Your energy might return so gradually that you forget how exhausted you used to feel. Your appetite might slowly improve until one day you realize you're enjoying food again. Looking back helps you see how far you've actually come, even when the present moment feels stuck.
What matters most is being gentle with yourself and trying again tomorrow, or next week, or whenever you're ready. Progress isn't about being perfect. It's about not giving up on yourself.
If you need support establishing healthy habits during or after cancer treatment, call Astera's team, including our social workers, specialists, and palliative care providers.