Exercise is a healthy and
beneficial alternative to an evening spent in a pub or in front of TV. It can and should be sociable and enjoyable - find something which is fun otherwise
you will give it up very quickly. Dances and exercise classes are very cordial
places and particularly if performed regularly are a forum to make new
friendships and acquaintances.
It is always a question of changing the
habits, changing the frame of mind and adopting a fresh approach to socializing. The majority of
recreational activities and sports have a strong social aspect to them. There
are a lot of choices, perhaps arrange a gathering with family and friends
looking at the availability of activities in your area and then decide which one
as a group you prefer. The exercise section will provide you with some useful
ideas but the choice most often depends on the quality and availability of local
recreational activities, all of which can usually be found on the internet.
Some of the recreational sport activities which can be thought of as a
good way of socializing and meeting new friends include:
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Walking - social
walking groups are available in many areas and are a good way to meet new
people, view interesting scenery and exercise to a variety of ability
levels.
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Golf
is a good encouragement to walk and clubs are available throughout the world
for all levels.
-
Cycling
socially with the family or part of a daily commute, even if only once or
twice a week, can be fun and even save money.
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Exercise classes
There are numerous enjoyable ways to exercise in groups at a variety of
levels. Many of these are available at the local gym or sports hall. The
most common classes include aerobics, water aerobics, spinning, body pump
and circuit training.
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Stretching classes Stretching
is essential before and after any exercise. Yoga and pilates are fantastic
for balance and core strength both of which are often impaired by cancer
treatments especially if steroids have also been given, for example during
chemotherapy. They are also recommended for joint and muscle subtlety and
posture.
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Sport
-
traditional sports remain excellent outlets for stress
and exercise. They often require more organisation than simply turning up
for a class as they usually involve a group. Your local sports centre,
however, sometimes brings groups together without having to organise it
yourself for a range of activities from 5-aside football, squash, tennis,
badminton, basketball, volleyball and netball.
-
Dance
There are numerous dance classes available in most towns either in private
or municipal gyms or dance studios. The most common choices include
conventional ballroom, line dancing, rock & roll, tango, ceroc and
salsa. Some traditional studios offer ballet and the more avant-garde jazz
funk and even street dance.
Further general information Your doctors
and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information
on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup
has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize
winning video available in English, Italian,
Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy &
Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over
500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which
patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer
journey.
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