Finding a positive way to look at things can give us the emotional and physical strength we need to fight cancer. Studies have shown that people with cancer who remain optimistic live longer than those who nosedive into despair. We need to challenge ourselves to take one day at a time and not lose hope. A prognosis can, in fact, change as the body responds to treatments.

Lighten up
It can be difficult to stay positive when facing the reality of a cancer treatment. The feelings of shock that accompany a cancer diagnosis can later resurface as fear, guilt, anger, or hopelessness.

These feelings often hamper patients' efforts to get proper nutrition, exercise and rest.

Consciously forging a positive outlook does not mean that you are ignoring reality. It can actually be a very healthy thing to do to acknowledge when you feel tired, stressed, angry, or depressed.

Learning how to stay positive, whether day-by-day or hour-by-hour, can improve anyone's quality of life -- cancer or no cancer. It helps us find joy in the moment regardless of our circumstances. It can be a kind of freedom.

Try these suggestions for staying positive and add any others that have worked for you:

Build a support network - Start looking around for a support group. Call up some non-profit cancer organizations. Ask people at church, if you belong to one. Find a professional counsellor who can help you deal with anxiety or depression.

Talk about your feelings: There's nothing wrong with feeling sad or frustrated. Keeping negative feelings bottled up can cause even greater stress. Find a person you trust and bend their ear.

Start a journal: Get something to write in, whether it's a two-dollar, spiral-bound notepad or a jewel-studded cloth diary -- and write your daily thoughts. Write down everything you feel or observe - good or bad. Writing is a fantastic way to get out all those gritty feelings that you don't want to share with anyone else.

Go on an "information fast": Dealing with cancer is challenging enough, so why put yourself through the stress of reading about it? Put away all those cancer-related articles and read something inspiring instead.

Take up meditation: Research into meditation continues to prove its healing benefits. There are hundreds of different ways to meditate. Try saying a mantra for ten minutes every morning and evening. Take a walk on the beach and really look at the waves. Sit still and feel the breath rise in and out of your chest. Find out what works for you.

Laugh often: Laughter is good medicine, and there are studies to prove it. Rent a stack of comedy films. Make faces in the mirror. Find out what tickles your funny bone.

Spend time with loved ones: If you have children, spend more time with them. Paint together, bake, dance or even get on a swing and have the kids give you a push. Invite friends and family over for a cup of tea and a board game.

Get out and enjoy the arts: Walk through an art museum and enjoy the quiet. Go to the opera. See a play -- on opening night.

Get active: If your doctor approves, go for walks or take a dance class. Many people have found that yoga, tai chi, or pilates classes help ease their stress and clear their minds.

See also

• Adapting to life with cancer
• Emotional impacts
• Sharing experiences
• Other sources of support