October 1, 2015, (Family Features)-- Every year, approximately 250,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. As a vegan-eating, marathon-running, mother in her 30s with no family history of breast cancer, Hollye Jacobs was unexpectedly diagnosed with the disease.
Now,
the nurse turned New York Times bestselling author of “The Silver Lining: A
Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer” has partnered with Allstate
to help everyone impacted by cancer receive a free guide with practical tips,
important information and inspiration to inform and support people from
diagnosis, through treatment and recovery, and into life after cancer.
“I
am honored to partner with Allstate to empower women with knowledge to take
control of their health and encourage each other along the way,” said Jacobs.
“I hope we can all be there for each other and find the silver linings in
life.”
As
a follow-up to her successful book, Jacobs offers this inspiring advice on how
to find the silver lining and feel your best in any situation:
· Dress the part: Dress to feel your best
no matter where your day takes you, from school to work to chemotherapy. Invest
in pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident. During her chemotherapy
experience, Jacobs found that cotton scarves were the easiest to tie and most
effective at staying comfortably on her head when out and about.
· Exercise: Pace yourself and set
reasonable goals to take control of a healthy lifestyle. Begin slowly but
consistently to establish a positive habit on which you can build; even a slow
stroll can be transformative for your health.
· Healthy eating: Like exercise, good
nutrition helps offset exhaustion that comes with the weight of daily stresses
and fatigue. A balanced and healthy diet doesn’t have to be expensive.
Incorporate nutrient-dense foods like avocados and nuts, and drink plenty of
water. Whenever possible, avoid alcohol, sugar and processed foods.
· Encourage each other: Jacobs’ biggest life
lesson from her experience with cancer was that asking for help is a sign of
strength, not weakness. If you think that you could benefit from professional
or spiritual support, pursue it. Celebrate positive thinking and remember that
everyone reacts to life’s unexpected struggles and pain differently. Be kind
and patient with others and, most importantly, yourself.
· Express yourself: For Jacobs, writing
was cathartic. Her book evolved from her blog, www.TheSilverPen.com, which
unexpectedly reached audiences far beyond her circle of friends and family. She
encourages people to write down at least three silver linings each day, from
noticing the color of a flower to petting an animal.
· Educate yourself: Be an active
participant in your health by learning from trusted sources and resisting the
urge to blindly search online for information. When learning anything new, be
patient, open, flexible and assertive to find what works best and most comfortably
for your routine.
The
free Silver Lining Companion Guide is available for download or for pick up at
participating distribution centers and select Allstate agencies nationwide.
Download or find the nearest participating distribution center at
www.Allstate.com/SilverLining.
Photo
courtesy of Getty Images
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