Studies show that the average length of people’s attention spans has been decreasing over time. That may come as little surprise, given the volume of information, responsibilities and distractions we’re faced with on a daily basis. If you add a cancer diagnosis on top of it all, managing everything can quickly feel overwhelming.

Although information overload is a common challenge for most people, we can all take steps to create more physical and mental space for ourselves. A recent article in Forbes outlines some techniques that can help decrease stress and increase positive awareness. We’ve highlighted a few of them here.

Make time for energy-inducing activities: Whether it’s taking a walk during the workday, listening to relaxing music or having lunch with coworkers, it’s important to build in activities throughout the day that give you energy. Engaging in these things can also alleviate stress, which is crucial when balancing work and cancer.

Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine: Mindfulness essentially means staying in the present moment and suspending thoughts of the past and future. Although it takes time and effort to practice mindfulness effectively, the payoff can be significant, since it has been proven to increase focus and mental capacity. Finding ways to change your mindset following a cancer diagnosis can also help when it comes to making key decisions related to your personal and professional life.

Consider meditation: Over time, meditating can change your brain structure and produce several positive effects, including strengthening attention, memory and emotional control. It is also something you can do while engaging in other activities, such as taking a walk or listening to music. It just requires being fully present in the moment and focused on the task at hand — and not getting distracted by your thoughts.

To read the full Forbes article, click here.

For additional resources on the importance of your well-being at work after a cancer diagnosis:

• Visit the Back to Work After Cancer section of our website.

• Download a free copy of our On-the-Go Guides for practical, time-efficient advice on things such as nutrition and fitness.

• Watch our webinar on “Managing Long-Term Stress.”

• Read our article on “Working with Chemo Brain.”