Empowered Healing | Hawaii Cancer Care

The Six Elements of Empowered Healing

A holistic, evidence-based approach to support your cancer care journey.

Cancer affects more than just the body—it touches every part of life, from energy and sleep to emotions and daily routines. Taking care of your whole self—body, mind, and spirit—can make a meaningful difference in how you feel and heal. Embracing a holistic approach, in collaboration with your care team, can help restore a sense of balance and strengthen your resilience throughout treatment.

As a patient of Hawaii Cancer Care, the goal is to support your overall health and well-being, enhance your body’s natural healing abilities, and improve quality of life during and after treatment. It’s important to note that holistic treatments should complement, not replace, conventional medical treatments.

Empowered Healing alongside your prescribed treatment can enhance outcomes, reduce side effects, and promote overall wellness. Rooted in a whole-person philosophy, built around six key elements of healing.

1. Nutrition: Fueling Your Body for Recovery

Good nutrition plays an essential role in supporting cancer patients during treatment and recovery. Maintaining a healthy diet in survivorship may also lower the risk for secondary cancers and cancer recurrence. Eating well while you’re being treated for cancer can help you:

Maintain body weight and lean muscle mass.
Support immune function and healing.
Reduce treatment side effects like fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and appetite loss.
Increase tolerance to treatment so you can stay the course.
Lower risk for infection.
Enhance energy levels and overall quality of life.
Heal and recover faster.

Nutrition Tips:

Eat small and frequent meals to manage appetite and energy levels.
Stay hydrated with 8–10 cups of water daily, unless otherwise directed.
Include a protein source at every meal to support muscle maintenance and healing.
Choose nutrient-dense foods—prioritize fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Limit red and processed meats, sugary beverages, and ultra-processed foods.
It’s best not to drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, do so sparingly.

While foods containing sugar are part of a balanced diet, excessive intake of refined and added sugars may contribute to inflammation and weight gain, which can affect treatment outcomes and overall health. Ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages offer little or no nutritional benefit and should be minimized.

Dietary recommendations vary greatly based on diagnosis, treatment regimen, and other health conditions. There is no one-size-fits-all diet. Your cancer care team includes a Registered Dietitian who can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan ways to help you meet them. Request a referral from anyone on your care team.

2. Movement: Stay Physically Active

Regular physical activity can enhance quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Research shows that regular aerobic and strength exercise can help improve recovery by enhancing physical function, mental health, and sleep.

Tips to get moving:

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
Incorporate both aerobic exercises (like walking or swimming) and strength training.
Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.

Even gentle movement can make a meaningful difference in your recovery. Long periods of inactivity have been linked to higher risks of chronic disease—so much so that researchers have compared the health effects of prolonged sitting to those of smoking. While fatigue is a common and valid part of treatment, finding small, manageable ways to move—whether it’s a short walk, stretching, or light household tasks—can help reduce side effects, boost energy, and support your body’s healing process.

3. Stress Management: Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation

Chronic stress can negatively impact the immune system and overall health. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques can support your body’s healing process. Research shows that chronic stress can increase tumor growth and cancer cell metastasis by promoting inflammation and inhibiting apoptosis, making stress reduction a vital part of cancer recovery and remission.

Tips:

Practice deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.
Engage in activities you enjoy and that help you relax.
Seek support from counselors or support groups when needed.

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and even support immune function. A simple way to begin is by focusing on your breath for 10 minutes. Gently bring your attention to each inhale and exhale. When your mind wanders, as it naturally will, just notice the distraction without judgment, then return your focus to the breath. This quiet practice can offer a sense of calm and clarity, helping you feel more centered throughout each day.

4. Sleep and Repair: Prioritize Restful Sleep

Quality sleep is essential for healing and recovery. Poor sleep can affect immune function and overall well-being. Research has found that poor sleeping hygiene puts people with certain cancers at high risk for bad recovery outcomes.

Tips for better sleep:

Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Establish a consistent sleep schedule.
Create a restful environment: keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
Limit exposure to screens and bright lights before bedtime.

Sleep can be elusive during cancer treatment. Physical discomfort, side effects, and the emotional toll of battling cancer can all interfere with rest. It can take time to find a routine that works for you, and it’s important to approach sleep with patience and persistence. On some nights, restful sleep may seem out of reach, but small, consistent changes in your habits can have a profound impact over time. Be kind to yourself as you work toward establishing a sleep routine.

5. Hydration: Maintain Adequate Fluid Intake

Proper hydration supports bodily functions and can help manage treatment side effects. Research shows that drinking at least eight cups of water per day can support cancer recovery by aiding in detoxification, reducing treatment side effects, and promoting overall well-being.

Hydration tips:

Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Limit sugary drinks and alcohol.
Include hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables in your diet.

A simple way to track your water intake is by using a reusable water bottle with markers or measurements, which helps you keep track of your progress toward the daily goal of eight glasses. Make drinking water a part of your daily routine, just as you would any other healthy habit. The more consistent you are, the easier it will become to reach for water regularly.

6. Support System: Engage with Your Care Team and Community

Emotional and social support can positively influence your cancer journey. Research shows that strong social support can improve cancer outcomes by enhancing patients’ mental health, resilience, and overall quality of life.

Tips to build support:

Maintain open communication with your healthcare providers.
Connect with support groups or counseling services.
Lean on friends and family for emotional support.

Asking for help can feel difficult, especially when you don’t want to burden others. But sharing your needs with those around you can be a gift, not just to yourself, but to your friends and family as well. It gives them an opportunity to be there for you, to feel needed and helpful—something they may long for when they feel helpless watching you struggle. Allowing others to support you not only strengthens your bond with them, but also helps them process their own feelings of helplessness, bringing everyone closer together on this journey.

Embracing the self-care elements of empowered healing is an act of deep self-love—one that honors your body, mind, and spirit. These practices may feel unfamiliar, especially during a time when so much already feels out of your control. But with patience and self-compassion, small steps can lead to meaningful shifts in how you feel, cope, and heal. Give yourself grace as you build new habits, and don’t hesitate to explore trusted resources or ask your care team for guidance along the way. Every choice you make to care for yourself is a powerful affirmation of hope, strength, and healing.