It is important for people living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to take care of their mental and physical health. Tips to manage day-to-day include getting enough rest and talking with trusted individuals.

Receiving a CLL diagnosis can feel overwhelming. No two individuals will react in the same way, so it is important to adapt self-care to the person.

However, by maintaining and incorporating certain habits, those with CLL may be better able to support their physical and mental well-being. Below are some examples of self-care that may help.

A person doing yoga to exercise with CLLShare on Pinterest
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Maintaining and adopting healthier lifestyle habits may help someone manage their emotions after a CLL diagnosis. It can also help them feel better while undergoing cancer treatment.

Lifestyle habits that may benefit someone with CLL include:

Regular exercise

Exercise can positively affect a person’s quality of life and enhance their mental and physical health. The benefits of physical activity include:

  • improved cognitive (thinking) function
  • reduced stress and anxiety
  • reduced fatigue and better sleep
  • increased muscle strength and mobility
  • increased appetite

Someone with CLL needs to speak with their healthcare team before starting a new exercise routine. They also need to listen to their body when exercising. Energy levels may fluctuate, and treatment can cause fatigue and other side effects.

People new to physical activity can start with small bouts of low intensity activities, such as walking, gardening, or aqua aerobics, a few days each week.

Exercises to improve balance, strength, and coordination may also be beneficial. Over time, people may be able to increase the intensity and duration of their workouts.

Getting enough rest

Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of quality sleep per night. Getting enough sleep may help a person manage CLL-related fatigue. Tips for better sleep include:

A balanced diet

The most suitable diet for someone with cancer may depend on the type of treatment they have. However, the optimal diet may help encourage healing, manage treatment side effects, and reduce the risk of infection.

A suitable diet for someone with CLL may involve the following:

  • whole grains
  • a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
  • olive oil
  • protein sources, such as:
    • lean meat
    • fish
    • dairy products
    • eggs
    • nuts and seeds
    • beans
  • plenty of water

People may also benefit from limiting certain foods, such as those high in trans or saturated fats and added sugar.

Cancer treatment side effects may affect a person’s appetite, making it harder to eat enough of the right nutrients. However, people can adapt their eating habits if it helps them eat more.

This may include eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day or blending foods into soups and smoothies if solid food is challenging to eat.

People may feel overwhelmed after a CLL diagnosis. After taking time to process, asking the healthcare team for more information about the condition, treatment options, and outlook may help them feel better.

The following tips may help a person get information about their situation:

  • making a list of questions they want to ask before their next appointment
  • taking a trusted companion to the appointment
  • asking to record the appointment to refer back to the information later
  • taking notes throughout the appointment

Keeping in touch with their healthcare team may also help someone feel more in control when experiencing uncertainty, such as waiting to see if a new treatment yields improvements.

Identifying and setting goals may help a person with CLL understand which areas they find the most challenging. It may also help them manage these areas and improve their mental health during treatment.

Tips for setting goals include:

  • Be specific: People may find it easier to achieve specific goals, such as taking a 30-minute walk three times per week, than vague goals, such as exercising more.
  • Break goals down: A person can break challenging or larger goals into smaller achievable steps. For example, if someone is new to exercise, they may start with 5 minutes of walking daily and build this up to 30 minutes over a few weeks.
  • Identify challenges: Planning how to overcome potential challenges may make it easier if they occur. For example, they can find a place indoors to walk if the weather is not ideal.
  • Monitor progress: Keeping a journal of progress may boost encouragement and motivation even if a person has setbacks.
  • Stay flexible: As cancer and treatments progress, people may need to adjust their goals.

Some people find it helpful to reach out to friends and family members for support as they navigate their new diagnosis.

Individuals do not necessarily need to discuss their cancer if they do not feel ready; even speaking with a person about unrelated topics may offer comfort and security.

If people do not wish to speak with people they know, healthcare professionals and support groups are also available. Those with CLL and mental health conditions such as depression may find it helpful to speak with a mental health professional.

Seeking support

Organizations such as the CLL Society exist to help newly diagnosed people cope with their condition. For example, this organization offers monthly virtual support groups for those with CLL and their caregivers.

The CLL Society makes it easy for people with CLL to find in-person support groups and offers:

  • educational resources
  • financial resources
  • caregiver resources

People with CLL can discuss treatment options with their healthcare team. Treatment options will depend on a person’s overall health, symptoms, and the stage of their CLL.

Those with slow-growing CLL may not need to start treatment right away, and doctors may recommend a “watch and wait” approach. This still involves routine checkups and blood work to monitor the person’s condition.

Questions to ask about treatments may include:

  • What are the side effects of the different treatment options?
  • What are the possible outcomes of these treatment options?
  • Are there any clinical trials available?

People can seek information from their healthcare team at any point during their diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, they may also wish for a second opinion.

As chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be a slow-progressing disease, it is possible to live for several years with mild symptoms or none at all. During this time, people must learn how to cope with their diagnosis. They may find it helpful to reach out to friends, family members, or professionals for support.

After a CLL diagnosis, individuals can discuss potential treatment options with their healthcare team. In some cases, doctors may recommend a watch and wait approach.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help improve a person’s quality of life. Getting enough rest, following a suitable diet, and regularly exercising may also help manage CLL symptoms and treatment side effects.