First, take a deep breath. Try to breathe from your stomach, at a slow and steady rhythm. Do this for a couple of minutes.

Taking deep breaths can help slow down your heart rate, which then sends signals to your brain that body isn’t in any danger and that it can relax. From this state, it will be easier for you to think logically about the situation and focus on finding the best solution.

Before you share the news with your close ones, give yourself some time to process the situation. When such big changes arrive, it is vital to give yourself time to somewhat understand and accept the situation, so that once you do share it with others, you do not feel overwhelmed and stuck.

In order to deal with the diagnosis, use all available resources. Learn how to lean on your support circle. Share the news with those close to you and those whom you trust. However, if you decide to tell your close ones before telling your child about the diagnosis, be very careful so that your child doesn’t find out about their diagnosis from someone else.

Be open, honest and direct when talking to your child about the diagnosis. Make sure to adjust your communication according to the child’s age and their ability to accept and talk about difficult topics. It can be useful to seek doctor’s advice on how best to explain the situation to your child.

We understand that, at first, you probably won’t want to do anything but lock yourself in the room, hide under the blanket and run away from everything. In the first few days, that is fine. However, at some point, life has to go on. If you don’t exercise regularly, stress will influence your body easier and it will be more difficult for you to relax. It is recommended to exercise for 60 min daily. This does not necessarily have to include going to the gym every day – taking a long walk will without a doubt create the similar effect on your body. Any type of physical activity results in increased heartbeat which helps release body’s natural endorphins and neurotransmitters which have a positive influence on stress reduction.

For some, going out in the nature has a relaxing effect. If you’re able to, take your child to a local park, go for a small trip on a mountain, visit a national park or a lake. Going out in the nature can help give you enough space to see the situation from a different angle and help you plan out the next steps.

Practice yoga and meditation to relax and dedicate some of the free time to yourself. Mediation and yoga are not only useful for spiritual growth, but it has also been proven that they can help with stress and anxiety.

It’s understandable that you are scared. Your child feels the same. Try to work on your emotions so that you can support your child in dealing with the diagnosis. Your child will look up to you for support and strength, and you can always lean on the team of  doctors to help you deal with the situation.

Source

stjude.org – Childhood Cancer Facts

timesofindia.com – Advantages of deep breathing exercises

cancer.org – Helping Your Child Adjust to a Cancer Diagnosis

harvard.edu – Yoga for better mental health – Harvard Health

sunshinebehavioralhealth.com – Mental Health Resources for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Cancer