HBCN: Step 5 - De-stress

Many may react with “What? I have just been told I have cancer? How can I not be stressed out?!” Believe it or not, you can.

The most important step I have found in doing so is going back to what I recommended in Step 1. Read the document, Cancer - An Introduction. Once you understand more about cancer and learn it's not much more than our body’s wake-up call that we need to take better care of ourselves, it becomes far less scary. With that knowledge, you become empowered, which instills confidence, which reduces stress.

Once you can accept that knowledge, you soon learn what many of us already have ... that a cancer diagnosis can actually be a gift, a chance to take care of ourselves the way we should have been all along. A second chance to get this right. Not everyone is so fortunate.

Believe it or not, stress can lead to depression and anxiety. It can also disrupt our immune systems. With a weakened immune system, any efforts to heal become an uphill battle. According to MDAnderson, “Stress hormones can inhibit a process called anoikis, which kills diseased cells and prevents them from spreading, ...” “Chronic stress also increases the production of certain growth factors that increase your blood supply. This can speed the development of cancerous tumors, ...”

https://www. mdanderson.org/publications/focused-

on-health/how-stress-affects-cancer-risk.h21-1589046.html

Education is key in reducing your stress levels. I’m sure you’ve heard the quote “the greatest fear is the fear of the unknown”. That holds so true when it comes to cancer. With your new knowledge, the “what ifs?” become far less stressful.

Once you have a better understanding of what is going on in your body and how to heal it, the fear quickly lessens and, with it, the stress. So, please, do your research. There are so many wonderful articles available for free, thanks to the internet. There are

also numerous books on natural healing. Empower yourself by reading them. Another important step in de-stressing is to avoid toxic people. That includes any doctors, family members or anyone else who does not support you in your decision to heal naturally. Exposing yourself to and listening to those who tell you that your decisions are wrong, who try to scare you into doing things which you know in your gut don’t feel right for you, all add to your stress levels and should be avoided whenever possible.

One of the best approaches I have found with loved ones is to first acknowledge their own fears. Chances are, more likely than not, they are pushing you to do harmful conventional protocols because they are also scared and don’t know what else to do. When a person decides to jump on the conventional bandwagon, their loved ones can tell that they are “doing something”. Most often a person becomes miserably ill and weak, but it gives visible confirmation that something is being done. Unfortunately, it doesn’t dawn on most that what’s being done is harming the person. It’s what they know, what they believe in and it proves to them that you are trying. Not doing conventional protocols, particularly when we end up looking so healthy and full of life, can often come across as not doing anything. Most people have a hard time reconciling those conflicting messages in

their minds.

Arguing with them often comes across as you trying to tell them that they are wrong. Don’t argue. You can agree with them. Agree that, yes, this is scary and, yes, you need to do something about it. Assure them that you are doing something, you do not have a death wish, that you truly do want to live. Let them know you’ve done your research and you believe in your heart that natural healing will give you your best chance to live a long and healthy life.

You may even want to share with them the docu-series, The Truth About Cancer or the fabulous Ted talk by Dr. William Li, “Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?”.

Not every one will be assured and that’s okay. You’ll simply have to agree that each of you want the same thing, for you to heal, but that you just disagree on how to do it. Bottom line, let them know you love them and appreciate their concern but it is your body, your choice. Let them know the best way they can show their love for you is to support you in your

decision, just like you would support them in theirs if the roles were reversed. In addition to removing toxic people from your life, it is important to make “me time” to help reduce your stress. Take time to do things which bring you pleasure. Whether it’s gardening, painting, listening to music, doing yoga and/or meditation, soaking in a tub, sitting outside while reading a book, etc., do something for yourself. Simple ‘exercises’ such as deep breathing can also help reduce our stress levels. For many, finding a spiritual connection in their lives can be very freeing. For some that may be turning to their religion, for others it may be finding a spiritual connection in nature. Either way, it can be a major part of de-stressing and healing.

Table Of Contents

Introduction

Step 1 - Breathe/Relax

Step 2 - Adopt a Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet

Step 3 - Detoxing

Step 4 - Exercise

Step 5 - De-Stress

Step 6 - Emotional Traumas

Step 7 - Supplements

Step 8 - Practice Being Thankful

Summary