Routine, ritual and chemotherapy from an oncologist

An overlooked tool for navigating cancer treatment is establishing routines and rituals.

As an integrative oncologist, I encourage patients to think about chemotherapy not only as treatment for cancer but as a chapter of life that benefits from structure and attention. Cancer disrupts nearly every aspect of daily living. Sleep changes, eating habits are altered, work schedules shift, and energy levels become unpredictable. At the same time, the extremes and challenge forces contrast that can jolt one back to seeing things with remarkable clarity.

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule helps support energy, mood, and recovery. Noticing the passing of the day with its consistency and natural link to the sun and moon can pull people out of their heads to attach to something larger.

Eating meals at predictable times—even if they are smaller than usual—can help manage nausea, stabilize blood sugar, and ensure adequate nutrition. The accomplishment of hydration and nutrition, underscoring mentally that it is nurturing the body, can be a mindful practice in itself.

Scheduling movement each day is another valuable routine. On some days that may mean a thirty-minute walk. On others it may simply mean stretching for five minutes or walking to the mailbox. The goal is maintaining the habit of moving your body. Of being in your body.

Routine also supports medication adherence. Taking medications at the same time every day, using a pill organizer, or pairing medications with an existing habit such as breakfast or brushing your teeth reduces the likelihood of missed doses. Staying ahead of pain and nausea by remembering is vital to staying in control.

The accomplishment of checking these basics off, marking meal, meds, the sunrise and sunset, can have therapeutic benefit, create a sense of moving forward, not staying stuck in one’s own head and thoughts.

Chemotherapy days can easily become associated with anxiety. Developing a personal ritual around treatment can transform the experience from something that happens to you, into something you actively prepare for.

Many of my patients intentionally wear their softest, coziest clothes, bring their favorite bag and water bottle each visit. Others create a playlist that they listen to only during treatment.

Some patients stop for coffee on the way to the infusion center. Others enjoy lunch with a family member afterward if they’re feeling well enough. These traditions became familiar markers in a process that otherwise felt uncertain. With the simple shift of perspective, they are in charge.

Chemotherapy often follows a predictable cycle. Many patients know they typically feel their best on certain days and more fatigued on others. Rather than expecting every day to look the same, consider creating routines that match your energy levels.

Higher-energy days may be the time for grocery shopping, seeing friends, exercising, or preparing meals for the week. Lower-energy days may be intentionally reserved for rest, reading, movies, gentle stretching, or quiet activities at home. Track these days in a calendar so that planning for special outings can align with prior patterns. A trip to visit grandchildren might happen in week 3 of the next cycle. Taking back control can be empowering and energizing.

Cancer treatment requires flexibility. There will be days when your routine falls apart because you’re simply too tired or not feeling well.

Think of routines as guideposts rather than strict rules. They exist to support you, not to become another source of pressure.

Creating routines helps restore a sense of stability. Rituals add meaning and comfort to experiences that can otherwise feel intimidating or exhausting. The momentum and forward movement of a routine can create flow state or a welcomed distraction. Your behavior- your habits and routines- are yours and they have the power to re-set and re-claim.

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