How do I calm my cancer-related anxiety?

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Quiz Questions

1.
1. My biggest struggle currently is:
- A.
  The inability to focus on anything positive
- B.
  Not being able to keep any kind of routine
- C.
  Feeling alone in this
- D.
  Feeling physically on edge
2.
2. When I wake up in the morning, I:
- A.
  Already feel tense
- B.
  Wish I had someone who really understood
- C.
  Immediately think about what could go wrong
- D.
  Feel unsure about how the day will unfold
3.
3. Lately, my days feel:
- A.
  Disorganized
- B.
  Heavy
- C.
  Isolating
- D.
  On-edge
4.
4. At night, the hardest part is:
- A.
  My sleep schedule is completely out of whack
- B.
  My body won't relax
- C.
  Feeling alone with my thoughts
- D.
  My mind fixates on scary possibilities
5.
5. I notice my anxiety the most when:
- A.
  My day falls apart
- B.
  My heart starts racing
- C.
  I feel misunderstood
- D.
  My thoughts spiral
6.
6. When I think about life before my cancer diagnosis, I most miss:
- A.
  Feeling lighthearted
- B.
  Feeling relaxed in my body
- C.
  Feeling consistent
- D.
  Feeling connected
7.
7. When anxiety hits, I instinctively reach for:
- A.
  A small task to focus on
- B.
  A way to physically calm down
- C.
  More information
- D.
  A person to talk to
8.
8. After a hard appointment, I'm most likely to:
- A.
  Wish I had someone to sit with me and process
- B.
  Replay the worst parts over and over again in my mind
- C.
  Totally abandon whatever healthy plan I had for the day
- D.
  Feel physically tense for hours
9.
9. Which pattern feels familiar to you?
- A.
  I'm struggling to see the good in anything right now
- B.
  I bottle up or compartmentalize my emotions
- C.
  I react before I can think clearly
- D.
  I have some healthy habits but can't stay consistent when stress hits
10.
10. What feels the most fragile right now?
- A.
  My lack of daily rhythm
- B.
  My outlook on life
- C.
  My support network
- D.
  My nervous system

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Regulation
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First things first: we need to ground your nervous system.Right now, your anxiety is living in your body and your nervous system is stuck in high alert. (Understandable.) Your heart races, your chest feels tight, and even when your thoughts slow down, your body doesn’t fully settle. For you, this means that the fastest relief will come from signaling safety to your body.Try this three-minute reset. Stick with me here. It might feel a little "out there" at first, but try it and notice how your body responds.Notice FIVE things you can see around you (patterns, colors, objects)Notice FOUR things you can touch (chair, phone)Notice THREE things you can hear (clock, car)Notice TWO things you can smell (coffee, your shampoo)Notice ONE thing you can taste (gum, water)Did your heart rate go down? Were you able to get out of your head for a minute? Doing this once might change the trajectory of your day. But creating a practice of intentional mindfulness on a daily basis? That's where the magic is, and where it can change the course of your life.If this resonated with you, I want you in my world.I know personally how overwhelming breast cancer can be, which is exactly why I created Calm Through Cancer. The full program offers wraparound, evidence-informed practices that you actually look forward to, in only ten minutes a day. Plus, you get access to a comprehensive team of experts: individualized support from me, movement instruction from a doctor of physical therapy, and specialized guidance from an oncology nutritionist on how to fuel your body and reduce recurrence risk. You’ll also get access to a private community where you’re surrounded by other women who understand things like scanxiety, so you never have to explain yourself. Get started for free by clicking the button below.
2.
Gratitude
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First things first: we need to refocus your attention.Right now, your mind is locked onto threat. It scans for what could go wrong, it replays scary possibilities, and it filters out anything neutral or good. (Understandable.) That’s not because you’re negative; it’s because your brain is trying to protect you. For you, this means that the fastest relief will come from rewiring your attention to focus on gratitude.Try this three-minute reset. Stick with me here. It might feel a little "out there" at first, but try it and then notice how your mental energy feels.Think about three good things in your life. Whether it's a supportive person in your life or a morning coffee ritual, really take the time to dive into why it stands out to you.Name two things your body is doing well right now (breathing, healing, digesting, resting).Pick out one moment that happened today that you’re grateful for, even if it feels small.Did you have a perspective shift, even if slight? Doing this once might change the trajectory of your day. But creating an intentional gratitude practice on a daily basis? That's where the magic is, and where it can change the course of your life.If this resonated with you, I want you in my world.I know personally how overwhelming breast cancer can be, which is exactly why I created Calm Through Cancer. The full program offers wraparound, evidence-informed practices that you actually look forward to, in only ten minutes a day. Plus, you get access to a comprehensive team of experts: individualized support from me, movement instruction from a doctor of physical therapy, and specialized guidance from an oncology nutritionist on how to fuel your body and reduce recurrence risk. You’ll also get access to a private community where you’re surrounded by other women who understand things like scanxiety, so you never have to explain yourself. Get started for free by clicking the button below.
3.
Connection
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First things first: we need to reduce your isolation.Right now, part of your anxiety isn’t just fear, it’s alienation. You’re carrying thoughts and emotions that don’t have a safe place to land, and when you process alone, everything feels heavier. (Understandable.) Because you feel unseen, the fastest relief for you will come from support, not silence.Try this three-minute reset. Stick with me here. It might feel a little "out there" at first, but try it and then notice how your energy shifts as the day progresses.Say to yourself: “This is hard, but I don’t have to carry it alone.”Text one safe person, “I've been feeling a little isolated recently. Can you just remind me I’m not crazy for feeling this way?”If texting someone feels out of reach, write down what you wish someone would say to you, and read it back to yourself.Were you able to lean on someone, after all? Doing this once might change the trajectory of your day. But creating an intentional community of women who are fighting the same battle as you? That's where the magic is, and where it can change the course of your life.If this resonated with you, I want to offer you one more connection opportunity.I know personally how overwhelming breast cancer can be, which is exactly why I created Calm Through Cancer. The full program offers wraparound, evidence-informed practices that you actually look forward to, in only ten minutes a day. Plus, you get access to a comprehensive team of experts: individualized support from me, movement instruction from a doctor of physical therapy, and specialized guidance from an oncology nutritionist on how to fuel your body and reduce recurrence risk. You’ll also get access to a private community where you’re surrounded by other women who understand things like scanxiety, so you never have to explain yourself. Get started for free by clicking the button below.
4.
Habit Formation
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First things first: we need to build sustainable systems.Right now, your anxiety isn’t just about fear – it’s about instability. You’re overwhelmed, and your daily anchors have likely disappeared. When everything feels uncertain, your system craves repeatable processes, so the fastest relief for you will come from small, consistent actions.Try this three-minute reset:Choose one tiny daily anchor, like calming herbal tea tea, connecting with a friend, or a short walk.Decide exactly when you'd like this to happen and write it down. (Seriously! You're more likely to stick with this if you write it down, so grab a piece of paper or open a new Note on your phone.)Say to yourself, “No matter what happens, I will keep this ritual.”Did you have a perspective shift, even if slight? Doing this once might change the trajectory of your day. But creating an intentional habit formation practice on a daily basis? That's where the magic is, and where it can change the course of your life.If this resonated with you, I want you in my world.I know personally how overwhelming breast cancer can be, which is exactly why I created Calm Through Cancer. The full program offers wraparound, evidence-informed practices that you actually look forward to, in only ten minutes a day. Plus, you get access to a comprehensive team of experts: individualized support from me, movement instruction from a doctor of physical therapy, and specialized guidance from an oncology nutritionist on how to fuel your body and reduce recurrence risk. You’ll also get access to a private community where you’re surrounded by other women who understand things like scanxiety, so you never have to explain yourself. Get started for free by clicking the button below.