For many people, chemo is one of those necessary evils.
It’s a treatment that – while sometimes highly unpleasant – is one of the main options during a cancer diagnosis. And while that can be difficult for some people to swallow, that doesn’t mean that it has to be a condition that ruins or damages your life.
Symptoms of chemo, of course, can range far and wide. From fatigue to difficulty thinking and performing daily activities, chemo is a treatment that takes a toll.
But there’s no reason to lose faith. For every problem, there’s a possible solution. For every long, hard, seemingly never-ending day, there’s a way to make things better.
If you’re dealing with mental fatigue from chemotherapy, you’re not alone and you’re certainly not without options. Although cognitive dysfunction from this therapy can be quite disruptive for many cancer patients, there are definitely ways to address it.
Let’s dive into six ways to seize back control and get your mind feeling fresh again…
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1. Digital Calendars and Tools
Many people who receive chemo go through a period of mental difficulty. This is simply an effect of the therapy on the body and brain, and while unwanted and uncomfortable, it does not have to be a lasting effect.
If you’re struggling to remember deadlines, manage daily activities, or simply stay organized like you always could, you might want to consider the usefulness of digital organization.
Digital tools like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and other specialized ‘task management’ apps are perfect for this scenario. User-friendly tools like Trello or Todoist are ideal for getting your daily needs and requirements in order.
From appointments to meetings and personal tasks, you can have it all at the click of your fingertips. You’ll even get instant reminders to keep you from forgetting important events. The best part, perhaps, is the widespread availability of these apps.
It doesn’t matter if you have a smartphone, tablet, or computer – you can organize the tasks that matter most to you without having to deal with the headaches of normal scheduling.
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2. Labeling & Organizing
When you’re going through chemo, it can be hard to keep track of everyday tasks and things, especially when so much of your emotional and mental energy is devoted to getting better.
That’s why smart labels are so critical. One way to do this is by simplifying your surroundings. You can do this in several ways, but one way to make it easy is by using color-coded storage bins and setting up designated spaces for those things you routinely need or use.
Take, for instance, kitchen cabinets, bathroom drawers, or office files.
With clear visual cues, you no longer have to remember the exact location of things, which is a must when memory lapses occur.
But don’t just stop at the physical world. Labeling and organization also go into the digital world, whether it be creating folders on your computer or storing important files on your smartphone.
With a little effort and some patience, you can have things set up very easily for you, making your life much easier (and more enjoyable) as well.
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3. Exercising With ‘Neurobics’
Exercise is good for a variety of physical and mental health conditions, but few things may help ‘chemo brain’ more than neurobics.
If you haven’t heard of neurobics, now’s the time to get informed. Coined by neuroscientists to describe brain exercises, neurobics are activities that challenge your brain to think in new and helpful ways.
These exercises can even encourage something called neuroplasticity, which is the ability to form new neural networks and reduce some of the cognitive deficits caused by chemotherapy.
But you don’t need to do some complex crossword puzzle or take an IQ test to enjoy the benefits of neurobics. There are many simpler ways to reap the reward. For instance, simply using your non-dominant hand more often can do wonders. Taking up new hobbies, like painting, writing, or learning a new language, is also highly beneficial.
Puzzles, of course, are also highly recommended, but if you prefer something a little less ‘brain-squeezing,’ consider mindfulness meditation. It can help improve your focus, lower your stress, and increase your mental clarity all at once.
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4. Omega-3 Rich Foods
Nutrition is always an important aspect of a healthy and happy mind. That’s why eating foods rich in Omega-3 acids can play such an important role in the health of your body and brain. If you are struggling to find a good source, supplementation is always an option.
However, you can also opt for foods such as fish, like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. You can also obtain these fatty acids from leafy green veggies.
With the help of these fatty acids, your brain will function a lot smoother. In fact, research indicates that Omega-3s help everything from memory to overall cognitive performance. They also reduce inflammation, which is critical for the creation of new brain cells.
Not sure how to go about adding Omega-3-rich foods to your diet? Simply consider foods like fish, berries, and nuts, at least two to three times per week. You will also receive vital nutrients from these foods, which complement a healthy and powerful mind.
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5. Regular Physical Exercise
Obviously, we’ve all heard of the benefits of physical exercise, but what does that really tell us? Well, for starters, it shows that maintaining a healthy body is crucial to feeling good and looking good.
When you experience mental fatigue due to chemo, moderate exercise can actually energize you. It also improves blood flow to your brain, which allows for neurogenesis, or the formation of new nerve connections.
Simply walking, swimming, or doing some yoga can go a long way in improving your mental clarity. All you have to do is dedicate half an hour per day to most days of the week.
You’ll also feel emotionally better – a nice added benefit of the endorphins released in your brain from exercising. Oh, and how about improved sleep quality to boot?
No matter how you look at it, physical exercise is an absolute must for people on chemotherapy.
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6. Rest and Sleep
This one is something nobody should overlook.
Getting sleep in today’s hectic modern world can be tough, especially when you’re juggling a hundred and one things on your plate. Fortunately, if you can find a way to improve your sleep, you can also find a way to address the effects of ‘chemo brain.’
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Simple steps like reading a book before bedtime, cutting off electronics, and listening to calming music have all been shown to facilitate better sleep. Because chemo may lead to elevated pain and discomfort, finding a way to sleep better is vital.
The first thing you can do is to stick to a schedule. Whether it’s Monday or Saturday, train your body to wind down and wake up around the same time. In cases where sleep still avoids you, talk to your doctor about sleep aids or even a much-utilized therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
By adopting the various approaches in this article, you can enjoy better sleep, better health outcomes, and a better life in general. Although chemotherapy is certainly no cakewalk, with a consistent and full-fledged approach, you can start enjoying your life more and improving that ‘chemo brain’ before you know it.
