Video: How to boost social support when you're living with cancer By Mayo Clinic Staff Share Facebook Twitter Print details Staying connected to friends and family is more important than ever when you have cancer. Nurturing your relationships not only boosts your mental health but your physical health, too. Take a look at these nine simple strategies for staying social, even on your lowest energy days. Best of all, you may even get some grocery shopping done in the process. Show transcript How to boost your social support when you're living with cancer Staying connected, online or in real time, doesn't just feel good, it plays a role in health outcomes and survival rates. Use social media to connect. Find supportive communities even when you're not feeling well. Plan simple connections close to home. Using your energy wisely gives you more meaningful time with friends. Say yes to that ride. The trip to an appointment can be great connecting time. Go grocery shopping with a friend. Save energy by combining your to-do list and your social time. Go online to chat or call. Have real-time talks without leaving home on low-energy days. Sign up for a class or workshop. Connect while you flex your mind or body by learning new skills. Join a support group. Or start your own to learn and connect. Be assertive. Some friends and loved ones might pull away because they aren't sure how to talk about your diagnosis. Communicate openly about your health and your needs. Know what works for you. Focus on the people you can trust and who will make you feel better. Guidance from the doctors, nurses and specialists for cancer care at Mayo Clinic. Get more healthy action tips delivered daily when you download the Mayo Clinic app. Show references Institute of Medicine. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press; 2008. Stress management: How to strengthen your social support network. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/emotional-support.aspx. Accessed Nov. 4, 2016. Frankly speaking about cancer: Brain tumor. National Brain Tumor Society. https://braintumor.org/franklyspeaking/. Accessed April 12, 2022. Attai D, et al. Twitter social media is an effective tool for breast cancer patient education and support: Patient-reported outcomes by survey. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2015;17:e188. Social support: Getting and staying connected. Mental Health America. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/social-support-getting-and-staying-connected. Accessed Aug. 16, 2017. When someone you know has cancer: Offering support. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/talkingaboutcancer/whensomeoneyouknowhascancer/when-somebody-you-know-has-cancer-offering-support. Accessed Aug. 16, 2017. VID-20305539