The Benefits of a Holiday During Cancer Treatment

Going through cancer treatment is an incredibly challenging experience, both physically and emotionally. The journey can feel overwhelming at times, with all the medical appointments, side effects and rollercoaster of emotions. Among all of that, the idea of taking a holiday might seem counterintuitive or even impossible. But stepping away from the daily grind of treatment and life to enjoy some relaxation and a change of scenery can offer a wide number of health benefits. Don’t believe us? Here are just some of the reasons why a holiday during cancer treatment can be highly beneficial.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Break

Cancer treatments often mean a long-term commitment to various therapies like chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. The mental toll of managing this can be hugely draining. Taking a break from the treatment environment gives you the opportunity for emotional rejuvenation. A mental reset, letting you focus on relaxation, joy and even excitement. This mental break can boost your mood, reduce anxiety and offer a fresh perspective to help you continue facing your treatment with renewed energy.

Improved Quality of Life

Quality of life is an essential component of health, especially when you’re going through intensive treatment. A well-planned holiday can bring moments of normalcy and happiness to an otherwise chaotic time. Whether it’s feeling the ocean breeze on your skin, exploring new places or spending time with loved ones in a peaceful setting, these experiences can enhance your overall sense of wellbeing. Even small activities, like enjoying a sunset or savouring a delicious meal, can create lasting positive memories and improve your quality of life.

Physical Rest and Rejuvenation

Cancer treatments often leave patients feeling physically drained. For example, chemotherapy can cause fatigue, nausea and other debilitating side effects. A holiday allows time for physical rest and recovery in a more relaxed and less clinical environment. Whether it’s lying by a pool, taking gentle walks or soaking in a natural hot spring, rest and light physical activities in a peaceful environment can help alleviate stress on the body, promote relaxation and contribute to better sleep.

Restoring Hope and Positivity

There are a lot of emotions involved in facing cancer – fear, uncertainty, anxiety – which can all be mentally exhausting to deal with. A holiday, even if it’s brief, offers the chance for you to focus on the positive aspects of life and reconnect with the joys of living. It can restore hope and remind you that there’s more to life than medical appointments. Experiencing new cultures, environments or activities can reignite your sense of adventure and curiosity, helping you manage some of the mental and emotional fatigue that comes with the cancer journey.

Boosted Immune Function

There’s a lot of scientific evidence to say that stress negatively affects the immune system, which is absolutely critical during cancer treatment. So, the less stress you experience, the better! It also means that a holiday that promoted relaxation and reduces stress can give your immune system a much-needed boost, and may mean that your body becomes better equipped to fight the disease and recover from the side effects of treatment.

Tips for Planning a Holiday During Cancer Treatment

While there are a lot of benefits to having a holiday during your cancer treatment, you need to make sure you plan carefully to keep yourself safe and healthy. Here are just a few things to consider:

Talk to your healthcare team: Before you do anything, you need to talk to your oncologist and cancer team. They can advise you on when it’s best to travel, any precautions you should be taking and what medical supplies or medications you should bring with you. This way you’re not interrupting your treatment and everyone is aware of what’s going on.

Choose a conformable destination: Now isn’t the best time to go on that hiking holiday across the Andes! Instead, you should opt for a destination that caters to your needs during treatment. Rest, relaxation and accessibility is key. Try to avoid any strenuous activities, and ensure that the location has good medical facilities in case you need them.

Travel insurance: Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, including cancer-related care. The hope is always that you won’t need it, but you never know, and it’s always best to be safe.

Listen to your body: During your holiday, pace yourself and take it easy. Make sure you allow time to rest and avoid overdoing it.

Bring medication and records: Always travel with any necessary medications, medical documents and treatment schedules. Having this information on hand means you’re prepared for any unforeseen health issues, and anyone taking care of you will have the information they need.

A holiday during cancer treatment might seem unconventional, but there are a lot of emotional, physical and mental health benefits. Whether it’s a short getaway or an extended trip, the opportunity to step away from the routine or treatment and embrace relaxation, joy and new experiences can hugely impact your wellbeing.  It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and the world around you – an empowering reminder that even in the midst of cancer, life is still rich and the possibilities are endless. At Jill’s Fundraising Journey, we provide free holidays for people and families affected by a cancer diagnosis, and have done since 2014. Our luxury holiday caravan in New Milton has everything you could need for a relaxing, fun family getaway. All you need to do to apply is fill out this form.