While battling breast cancer, it's natural to focus most of your energy on treatment, but staying active—even in small ways—can improve your well-being and help ease the side effects of treatment. However, incorporating exercise, even in small ways, can help ease treatment side effects and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Redefining exercise during breast cancer treatment doesn’t mean pushing your limits; it’s about finding ways to stay active that suit your body’s needs. From making movement enjoyable to finding peace in gentle activities, you can maintain your fitness in ways that support your recovery.
Find Joy in Movement
While some view exercise as a fun outlet, it's not the same for everyone. Making exercise fun may sound impossible, but if you find something that brings you joy while moving your body then you have found that sweet spot. If you enjoy being outdoors, consider gentle hikes or strolls in the park; if you prefer something more social, try a light dance class or a leisurely bike ride with friends. Including people you enjoy being around can make exercise even more fun!
Building an Exercise Routine
While routines might feel monotonous at times, they can actually provide much-needed structure and stress relief, especially during treatment. Knowing what your days will look like, especially going through treatment, can bring some normalcy into your life. Whatever exercise looks like for you, make time for it at the same time each day. This will not only bring exercise more frequently into your life it will also help with feelings of anxiety and chaos.
Finding Peace in Exercise
Peace is a feeling we all long for. Many people find peace in time alone or time in nature. Make your time in peace also a time for movement. You can spend time alone doing yoga or going on a long walk in your favorite park. Finding this peace can bring you relief from many symptoms that come along with cancer treatment.
Rather than letting exercise fall to the bottom of your to-do list, prioritize it as a way to bring peace, routine, and even joy into your life during this challenging time. At Astera, we’re here to support you through every step of your journey. Talk to your care team about how exercise can be integrated into your treatment plan in a way that feels right for you.