Finding out you have a medical condition is stressful enough — but then you have to figure out what to do with the knowledge you have learned. Throughout this article, we will look at some of the next steps you need to take and how to process and cope with the diagnosis.

It might start with a lingering symptom, a disturbing scan, or a phone call from a family member or friend. In a moment, your life appears to be divided into two parts: before and after. No one wants to think about what may happen to them, but the chances are that you or someone close to you will be forced to negotiate this terrible terrain at some time in your life. Women are more likely than males to be diagnosed with cancer at some point; breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common forms in the United States. Heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and other life-altering disorders are far too frequent.

In the beginning, there is a sense of utter disbelief which could last hours, days or even weeks. Even though you may want to burrow under the covers and remain there, you must process complex medical information, assist loved ones in coping, and balance the rest of your responsibilities. No matter how dire the situation, the world keeps on turning.

Being unwell may feel like a full-time job. And it is one for which you have not had any prior training: what do you do first? Who are you going to tell? To begin, calm your thoughts, assemble your support team, and follow these initial steps.

Allow yourself to feel things.
Expect to be on an emotional roller coaster. Ther is a whole range of emotions: despair, frustration, numbness, fear, rage, and, all too frequently, the question “Why me?” Family members who feel powerless may try to promote your denial by saying things such as, “You will fight this! “Keep your spirits up!” Nonetheless, it is important to allow yourself to feel what you are feeling—even if it is an uncomfortable emotion such as anger” Trying to keep those emotions under control just adds to your stress. You are grieving the loss of your health as you knew it, and that takes time. Doing so will assist you in changing direction and better adjusting to the challenges you will face.

Get the important information.
There is a lot of information out there regarding how people who are well informed about their ailment have better results. But does this imply that you should brush up on your knowledge of biological sciences and the most recent clinical trials? The thought of it might be overpowering, if not downright scary. Do not put too much pressure on yourself. It is normal to take in information in little chunks during the first few days and weeks after diagnosis. Some appropriate first-time questions to ask your doctor are as follows: What information do I require right now? How much time do I have to make a decision and take action? What is the most immediate next move in this situation?

Organize yourself for appointments
During those first tense encounters, tension might make it difficult to absorb what the doctor is telling you about your condition: heart disease, follicular lymphoma, or something else. Anxiety and distress impair your ability to concentrate and recall information. You may only retain half of the information that has been presented to you. Make a list of the most crucial questions you want to ask before you go. Another smart approach is to bring along a second set of ears—or even two sets if you suspect that your companion is experiencing the same level of stress as you are—to listen in on the conversation. Make a point of going over important ideas again to make sure you understand them. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to repeat or explain something if you are not sure.

Don’t turn to Dr Google.
Prevent yourself from jumping into your preferred search engine by taking a minute to think about it. In addition to providing great research resources, the Internet is awash in horror stories, juice-cleanse remedies and worrisome data. Consider visiting websites maintained by major medical institutes and non-profit organisations, or ask an informed friend to help you navigate through the avalanche of information. It is important to remember that the doctor who is reading your medical report or looking at your tests knows more about you than anyone on the internet.

Whether we like it or not, we live in a world that is becoming more and more saturated with fitness and good eating. You can’t even walk down the street without being barraged by billboards advertising the latest celebrity fitness plan or DVD, our social media timelines are full of people pushing various shakes and pills and plans to make us healthy, and bloggers are giving diet tips and advice. If you are a bit of a gym junkie and enjoy nothing more than pounding on the treadmill at Fitness 19 and gulping down on that superfood smoothie, it’s alright. But for many others, it is all a bit monotonous. Sometimes it feels like if you don’t go in for it big time, you may as well not bother. If this sounds like you, worry not because we have some recommendations to assist you to get fit and healthy without it taking over your existence!

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Incorporate it into your regular regimen.

Instead of making exercise and staying healthy simply another item to add to your already lengthy daily to-do list, make it part of your day to day routine. You may want to spend your important time off with your friends and family or do something exciting like going to restaurants or going traveling. Don’t worry though – with a bit of imagination, you can fit it all in and not have to drop anything. On average, we should all be striving to perform roughly 30 minutes of exercise every day. Think about your routine. Can you get off the bus a couple of stops early and walk the rest of the way to the office, or park at a place as far away from the grocery as possible? All these tiny things really pile up.

Don’t deny yourself treats.

The worst thing you can do is to deprive yourself of any goodies totally. Going ‘cold turkey’ just does not work. Food is not ‘bad’ or ‘good’ – in moderation, pretty about anything is fine. If you give up the foods that you like and vilify them, you’re more likely to want them and end up gorging on them. Once you become trapped in that loop, it is challenging to get out of it. One slice of cake every so often is not going to make a difference in weight reduction, so if you want it, go for it! You might also look at healthier alternatives to your favorites. If you adore chocolate cake, why not look at recipes that sweeten them using beets or courgettes rather than sugar? If milky lattes are your thing, switch the full-fat milk with skim milk. Small tweaks here and there may make the largest of effects.

Don’t push yourself too much.

It’s acceptable to do only what you can do. No one is expecting you to get up and immediately start jogging 10km. No one is expecting you to join a gym and go there day after day – in fact, it’s probably not a good idea to do this until you’ve had a full introduction since you may wind up hurt. Getting healthy is a journey, not a sprint, and it is best to begin gently and gradually increase your activity level.