The Mayo Clinic Care Plan for Breast Cancer Survivorship aims to help improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors through monthly check-ins, screening for symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, and sexual dysfunction, and targeted education to address these symptoms.
Stress is a natural, normal part of daily life. As a positive influence, stress can result in energy that can be directed toward growth, action, and change. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of frustration, anger, tension, and depression.
During the stress response, several hormones prepare your body to respond to stress. Your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens, and your blood pressure rises. Your body's stress response can save your life in times of danger. But when these physical responses occur routinely due to ongoing tensions in your life, they may make existing health problems worse.
By keeping stress in check, you can avoid negative health effects and lead a more balanced, healthy life.
There are three basic ways you can approach a stressor:
Evaluate what causes you stress and determine what you can change. Learn healthy ways to cope with stress to feel a sense of control. Make positive choices concerning how you respond to stressors.
You can start small. Changing your response to even one or two main stressors can have a positive impact on your overall stress level.