Stress and emotions as CANCER TRIGGERS

Stress and emotions

While diet and exercise may play a big role in health, emotional well-being is just as important. Johannesburg-based psychologist Melissa Card says: ‘Some people believe in a mind-body connection, while others do not. Regardless of whether you believe in this connection or not, research has shown that our bodies react to the way we think and feel about situations.’

Examples of this include high blood pressure and ulcers caused by extremely stressful situations, especially in people with no family history of such conditions. ‘Negative emotions such as anxiety, doubt, fear and frustration can affect our health to a large extent,’ says Card. ‘Most of life’s
uncertainties, like finances, employment, marriage, education, divorce or death, can have a detrimental effect on one’s mental and emotional health, if not dealt with in an appropriate manner, which can in turn affect the body.’

Our bodies send us signals when we are not coping with stress. The most common include chronic fatigue, irritability, stomach problems, significant weight fluctuations (gain/loss), changes in appetite, neck pain and backaches, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, breathing problems and decreased immunity.

If you are aware of some of these symptoms when you are feeling stressed, it could be time to slow down and take stock of where you are in your life.

‘When we feel overwhelmed and bogged down by everything happening around us, we tend to neglect our bodies and health,’ says Card. ‘When one is anxious, fearful, depressed or frustrated, it’s easier to indulge in all the negative “stress relievers” or addictive tendencies, such as alcohol, smoking, bad eating habits (comfort food) and even drug abuse – all of which ultimately have a detrimental effect on our physical and mental well-being.’

Luckily, these symptoms and feelings can easily be reversed, by getting enough sleep, following a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise, which, Card explains, not only has a beneficial effect physically but also in terms of emotional well-being. Setting realistic goals may also be helpful when
it comes to maintaining emotional health. ‘We’re often left with many negative emotions when we cannot or do not reach the goals we’ve set for ourselves, and thus allow for stress to creep in and overwhelm us,’ Card explains. Adopting coping mechanisms like relaxation techniques, walking,
reading, listening to music, yoga and meditation can play a big role in giving you a break from your stressful lifestyle.

When it comes to life-threatening illnesses like cancer, Card acknowledges that emotions like fear, sadness, anger, disbelief and dismay can be overwhelming. She advises trying not to overthink or overanalyse the situation, as this could lead to unnecessary worry and the secretion of stress chemicals. ‘Regular exercise does help with this by releasing other chemicals to counter the negative emotions. Expressing yourself is always better than bottling everything up. If you are not able to speak to close friends and family, perhaps try a counsellor or therapist, doctor or religious advisor, whomever you feel comfortable with.’

She adds that one of the most important things you can do is ensure that you have social support to help you cope. Journaling, painting or drawing may also serve as forms of expression while dealing with the stress of illness.