It’s normal to feel ups and downs when you are living with multiple myeloma.1 You may have days where it’s just harder to pick yourself up.
It’s okay to have a bad day1
The good news is that there are simple habits you can use as part of your daily life to help give yourself a boost.1
Taking care of your emotional wellbeing
Carry on doing the things that matter to you. This may be a hobby, seeing people you love, or something else, like practicing meditation or mindfulness. Focussing on your priorities and continuing with what really matters to you could help you feel better. Try to plan an activity you enjoy every day.1
Speaking to family and friends about how you feel could help them understand where you’re coming from. It could also help them see how their personal relationships are being affected. If you prefer to speak to someone who isn’t a loved one, consider speaking to a counsellor. Talking can be a good way of clearing the air. It could improve your relationships and your mood.1
Being informed about your MM could help you feel more in control and make it easier to discuss your care plan with your healthcare team. You’ll find lots of information online that you can access when it suits you.1 Make sure your information comes from a credible source, though. You can ask your healthcare team where to go or look at the link below.
Practice mindfulness, that is focus on what you can hear, smell and see right now. These techniques help you pay attention to your thoughts and feelings in the present moment. They could help you feel less anxious and calmer.1
Journalling can have many benefits. You can use a pen and paper, or you could try an online journal, app or dictation tool. There are even ‘wellbeing journals’ available to buy. Writing things down could help you work through your feelings. This might especially help if you don’t like to talk about how you’re feeling. Writing might also help to uncover patterns in your emotions. For example, if you feel grumpy when you’re tired in the afternoon or stressed before healthcare appointments. If you know this, you can figure out ways to cope, like taking a nap or planning something fun to do after your appointment.1
If sad feelings linger or impact your daily life, talk to your healthcare team1
Reference
- Myeloma UK. Infopack for living well with myeloma. Available at: https://www.myeloma.org.uk/library/infopack-for-living-well-with-myeloma/ Accessed: May 2024.