For people affected by cancer, managing your mental well-being is an ongoing challenge. Distraction can play a useful part in that. Distraction can mean different things to different people, talk of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ distractions can be confusing for those just looking to take a break from worry or stress. The last year and a half with coronavirus has made it even more challenging for cancer patients, and their family and friends, to find effective distractions. In today’s Community News Blog, we’re talking about distractions, be they ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
'Good' Distractions
We wanted to start by sharing a poem by one of our members, Bluebell Woods.
TV. Day time. Quiz shows, news, Real Deals. Breakfast TV, loose woman? Maybe not at that stage, yet.
Granny. Blankets. Graduating to a hat. Nothing too complicated. Anything beyond simple befuddles the brain.
Cancer. Thoughts from morning to night? No. Maybe distraction, or life, is working. Life would work for me, thanks.
Counselling. Hi Linda. Mmm, not my name. What organisations have you asked for this service? Well: yours. Oh, we’ve not got a record of referral. Deflation, just a few sentences in. Pandemic? For some reason I’m providing you with a get out.
Facebook. We’ll call it fb. Pandemic. Scamdemic. Microchips in syringes. Poison. Ffs. It’s one tiny jab. Nothing. Immunocompromised. It’s not all, even, about you. Public good. It’s not a difficult concept.
Like what you read? Why not leave a comment on Bluebell Wood’s original post.
If you like poems and creativity in general, our members share creative expression in our Express yourself forum. Surely a positive distraction.
Another positive distraction that is often mentioned on the Online Community is fresh air.
"I am feeling so much my normal self today. Havnt had a nap yet, had some nice fresh air today and nice and snug in my pj's chilling. A good day xxx"
Shaz52, Breast Cancer Forum Post.
If you can, why not get out for a short walk in the fresh air today?
Some members however feel that distraction is valuable, however you achieve it.
"I was diagnosed back in 2009 so I do understand and the way I coped was to stay distracted until the final results came in"
johnr, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma forum.
"anything to take your mind off how you feel. "
Dclem4, Breast cancer forum post.
'Bad' Distractions
With the rise of mobile phones, tablets, and social media – the options for what to pay attention to have never been richer. Are these ‘good’ or ‘bad’ distraction techniques though? How do these distraction techniques impact our mental health?
A common theme we see on the Community, is members warning others not to spend too much time on Google. Oncology worries are best with your medical team.
"I have avoided Google as much as possible and just listen to specialist/consultant."
key82, Breast cancer forum post.
"Stay away from google and try to distract yourself"
Karen062, Bowel (colon and rectal) cancer forum post.
"We were all here in the same boat at one stage and understand how you feel. You’ll get lots of help along the way. Tell us more about yourself if you feel up to it. The first tip I can give you is to stay off Google. You’ll frighten yourself to death. Once you have a treatment plan in place you’ll have a goal and feel better in yourself."
Beesuit, Head and neck cancer forum post.
Balance
Perhaps as with most things, it comes down to balance. Maybe what a ‘good’ distraction is depends on the individual. You know best what makes you feel better whilst dealing with cancer. If you’re short of ideas on how to distract yourself – don’t hesitate to reach out on the Online Community for support. Whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent – distraction is often talked about on the Online Community.
"its very hard to switch it off and i've found I just have to distract myself"
Tired Minion, Breast cancer forum post.
"it's the unoccupied time when those thoughts creep in so trying to keep pushing them away and staying positive"
Dolphina, Bladder cancer forum post.
What do you think about distraction? Which are the ‘good’ distractions you rely on when you need a mental break?
Do reductions in negative distractions help your quality of life? Do you feel positive distractions help with your mental health?
Why not leave a comment below, or reach out on some of the posts mentioned here.
