As we enter yet another year, many people make New Year’s resolutions. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions can be traced back through time to the ancient Babylonians, who made promises to their gods for the coming year. The Romans dedicated New Year’s Day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. In medieval times, knights re-affirmed their commitment to chivalry. Modern day resolutions usually include eating healthy, losing weight, quitting smoking, and managing money better.
With a diagnosis of cancer, a patient may experience a change of perspective on life. Thus, in addition to the usual resolutions, if you have been diagnosed with cancer recently, consider these New Year’s resolutions.
- Beat cancer! Have the mindset that you will conquer your disease.
- Attend to your body’s needs. To help ensure your long-term survival and a better quality of life, don’t smoke, limit alcoholic drinks to one per day, and use sunscreen to protect your skin.
- Manage your symptoms and don’t suffer unnecessarily. Talk to your doctor.
- Spend more time with people you really like.
- Be open minded, but tell everyone what you really think.
- Relax more by taking time for yourself.
- Never pass up an opportunity to say “I love you” to the ones you love.
- Live life to the fullest every day.
In reality, everyone, cancer patient or not, would benefit from these resolutions as well. From all of us at Fort Smith Radiation Oncology, we wish you a healthy new year!
