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Take Care of Yourself

Healthy habits can make a big difference in how you feel—now and in the future. This is especially true if you are living with or have survived childhood cancer or another serious illness. Taking care of yourself can help boost your energy, lower your risk of long‑term health problems, and support your emotional well‑being.

On this page, you’ll find practical, evidence‑based tips to care for your body, mind, and spirit. These tips can help you sleep better, eat well, stay active, and manage the challenges that can come with serious illness or survivorship.

  • Healthy Eating: Nutrition Tips for Teens and Young Adults

    Good nutrition can help you feel better, support overall health, and aid healing and recovery. Find healthy eating tips for teens and young adults during and after illness.

  • Vaping

    Vaping or Juuling is harmful to your health, especially if you have a serious illness. Learn about the health risks of vaping and e-cigarettes and ways to quit.

  • Dental Health

    Your dental health becomes your responsibility when you become an adult. Learn how to take care of your oral and dental health.

  • Birth Control Products

    Birth control (contraception) is any method to prevent pregnancy. Learn about birth control products, how they work, and how to choose one that is right for you.

  • Coping with Serious Illness

    Facing a serious medical condition as a teen or young adult can be overwhelming. Learn ways to cope.

  • Physical Activity for Teens and 20s

    Physical activity can help cancer patients and survivors prevent disease and improve bone and muscle strength, heart and lung health, and brain function.

  • Get Your Sleep for Good Health

    Sleep problems are a frequently reported symptom in teen and young adult cancer patients and survivors. Learn why sleep is important and how to sleep better.

  • 8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself

    Take control of your health! These 8 steps will empower you, help you feel better, and protect your body from disease.

More from Together by St. Jude™

  • HPV Vaccine

    Survivors of pediatric cancer should get a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV can cause several types of cancer in both males and females.

  • Healthy Eating After Cancer

    Healthy eating is important for everyone, but good nutrition is particularly important for childhood cancer survivors. Learn more about nutrition after cancer.

  • How to Prevent Skin Cancer

    Protecting skin from the sun is the best way to prevent skin cancer, and it is especially important for childhood cancer survivors. Skin cancer is the most common second cancer in childhood cancer survivors.

  • How to Quit Smoking

    Not smoking or quitting smoking is one of the best ways to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and lung problems. Get tips and make a quit plan to stop smoking.

  • Physical Activity After Cancer

    Most people know that physical activity is good for health. However, for cancer survivors, being active is even more important.

  • Returning to Sports During and After Cancer

    Sometimes cancer treatment means taking a break from sports and other activities. In some cases, you can return after treatment. In other cases, it might be time to start something new.

  • Skin Cancer Screening

    Regular skin cancer screenings can detect skin cancer early. Learn about skin exams and signs of skin cancer.

  • Tips for Healthy Sleep

    Sleep is important for overall health and well-being. Learn simple tips for how to sleep better.

Healthy Lifestyle Linked to Longer Lifespan 

A study shows childhood cancer survivors with healthy lifestyles have a lower risk of death due to health-related causes. 

Read more about healthy lifestyles