This is easy to say but sometimes difficult to do. Remember, pleasant emotions may enhance and unpleasant emotions may suppress the power of the immune system . So do as much as you can to bring about those pleasant emotions and avoid unpleasant ones.
"Not so fast," you say. "That's not so easy. You may not know it, but I'm not feeling great. I have a lot to worry about." And of course you're right. But leaving aside any effects on the immune system, here you have a suggestion that is almost sure to at least improve the quality of your life. It may not be so easy, but isn't an improved quality of life worth the effort?
Trying to increase pleasant emotions and decrease unpleasant ones is probably what we all should be thinking about all of our lives. But now, if you have cancer, it is particularly important to be consciously aware of how and where you spend your time and whether or not you are enjoying yourself as much as possible. The pursuit of happiness is a reasonable part of your fight for recovery.
8. Become partners with your physician.
Some patients want to hear nothing but instructions. Others want to have every bit of information they can get and be involved in the decision-making process. Most physicians are now flexible enough to act in any capacity that is in the best interests of their patients, including acting more as your partner in achieving better health. So decide with your physician what you both want the relationship to be. Communicate, communicate,
