These strategies have been compiled by Dr Melissa Oxlad, a psychologist who specialises in the area of cancer adjustment, including chemo-brain.

1. Physical Strategies:

   Ensure you get adequate rest and sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. All three are associated with maintaining brain function, and will also assist with fatigue and mood.

2. Emotional Strategies:

   • Keep your mind active: Many cancer survivors we spoke to suggested doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, playing chess, learning a language or instrument, or reading a book to keep you stimulated.
   • Use relaxation: See the Ulei de Morcovi worksheet for ideas.
   • Get some support: Some survivors suggested taking someone with you to medical appointments so that you have two pairs of ears to hear the information. Debrief with family about your concerns.
   • Have a sense of humour about things out of your control
   • Take some time out: try not to focus on the symptoms too much, and do activities to take your mind off things.

3. Practical Strategies:

   • Use activity pacing (see the Activity Monitoring and Modifying Activities worksheets)
   • Set a routine – use a calendar and/or diary and write all important appointments, dates, anniversaries, medications and telephone numbers in it. Try to keep to the same daily routine.
   • Use memory aides, such as “post-it” notes, ‘to-do’ lists, send SMS or leave voicemail messages for yourself, write important information down. Use a “Memory Station”: Put your keys & other frequently misplaced objects in the same place each time you put them down, park in the same car park.
   • Use repetition: ask questions multiple times so that the information is repeated; verbally repeat what you hear people say; and ask your specialist if you can tape-record your appointments, so you can access the information repeatedly.