Health & Happiness
Self-care looks different for everyone. Find what works best for you.
A breast cancer diagnosis affects our relationships with our partners, our families, and our friends.
Communicating with others about your experience and how you feel to family, friends, and medical staff can feel overwhelming.
And that communication is key to feeling supported and getting what you need from others. Here are some resources to help guide you and your loved ones.
Connect with a Mental Health Professional
It’s okay to not be okay AND it’s okay to ask for help. Ask your cancer care team about mental health services at the hospital where you get treatment. The resources below can help connect you with a mental health expert who gets it.
- Do you have experience with my particular kind of cancer?
- What types od counseling methods do you use?
- How can you help me deal with depression?
- Will you help me understand why my partner and I have not been very close since the treatment ended?
- Would individual, couple, family or group counseling be best for me?
- What professional degrees and training do you have?
- Can you give me help talking to my family about my fatigue?
- Do you have a set fee or sliding fee (a reduced fee) and will my insurance cover the costs?
- How Therapy Can Help People Affected by Breast Cancer
- Sista Afya Community Wellness
- Mental Health Care Options for People With Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Lantinx Talk Therapy
- Illness Navigation | Custom Guidance Through Medical Challenges
- UIC Cancer Social Work Services
Nourish my body
Healthy eating is easier with expert guidance and a few good recipes. Explore tips to nourish your body during treatment and beyond.
- Free Virtual Cooking Classes and Demos from our friends at Wellness House
- Cancer fighting foods- grocery shopping guide
- Healthy Cooking for People Touched By Cancer | Cook for Your Life
- Diet and nutrition help cancer survivors return to good health (video)
- Metastatic breast cancer and diet
- How to Eat a Healthy Diet During Radiation
- Illinois Food and Medical Benefits | Greater Chicago Food Depository
Move My Body
Physical movement benefits our bodies AND our minds. Making it a part of your daily life, finding an exercise partner, and choosing movement that you enjoy are all ways to keep you moving!
Calm My Mind
Mindfulness is a powerful tool you that can help you stay centered. It doesn’t have to be complicated, even one minute of Box Breathing can reduce stress. Explore the many different approaches to mindfulness from breathing to yoga or journaling and discover the approach that works best for you.