Rooted in Strength

How To Tie A Square Chemo Head Scarves

There are many ways to tie a head scarf, here are some of our favourites.  If you want a simple way to tie it, get a hairband and drape the fabric over your head, gathering the ends into a ponytail.  On days when you want to be more creative, take a look at some ideas below Scarf Tying Tips Getting to grips with tying a chemo headscarf can be frustrating. You need to build muscle-memory with your fingers and this can take time, but here are a few tips that might help make the process easier: Start learning when you have some quiet time to yourself. Make yourself a cup of tea/coffee and give yourself 20mins to just have a play and give some of the styles a go. Dont try learning how to tie a chemo headscarf when you are under time pressure or have visitors popping in and out, you will only get frustrated.   Use the weight of your arms to keep the fabric tension. There is no need to grip your headscarf tightly, just hold onto the ends and after you have crossed them over behind your head or tied a single knot, let them relax and use the weight of your arms to keep the fabric taught. This not only gives your arms a break (especially if you have had breast surgery), but it also helps you pause a little before moving onto the next steps   If tying the knots is a pain, use an elastic band or hairband (we recommend a hairband because elastic bands can be difficult to use). Sweep the ends together and tie them like you would do a ponytail. The benefit of tying your headscarf this way is three-fold; it helps you tighten your headscarf whenever you need to, you can take your headscarf off your head and put it back on without having to re-tie it, and you can also use the hairband to create a bow by passing the ends of your headscarf partially through a section of the hairband.   Style 1The Free Spirit Using a square chemo head scarf, fold it from corner to corner so it makes a triangle, then fold the long edge over a few times. Place the chemotherapy scarf on your head, the long part needs to be across the forehead and the pointed part of the scarf must be at the back of the head. To tie the scarf, pull both ends behind your ears around the back of the head. Style 2. The Classic Wrap This style gives full coverage and stays comfortable all day and works if you have a rectangular or square scarf. If starting with a square scarf, either fold it in half to make a rectangle, or a triangle - it works both ways! Place the scarf over your head so it’s even on both sides, with the front edge sitting just above your eyebrows. Cross the ends at the nape of your neck and pull them snugly (but not too tight). Bring both ends up to the front of your head and tie a firm knot.  Tuck the loose ends under the scarf for a smooth, tidy finish. Style 3. The Side Knot If you want something with a softer, more relaxed feel, try the side knot.  Fold your scarf into a triangle and place it over your head so the long edge sits across your forehead.  Bring the ends around to one side of your head just below your earlobe.  Tie them once, then twist the ends together and loop them into a small knot just above your ear, securing the ends by tucking them part of the way through the middle of your twisted knot. 

Yoga During Chemotherapy: Gentle Movement, Real Benefits

Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you're going through chemotherapy. But gentle movement — and yoga in particular — can make a real difference to how you feel during treatment, both physically and emotionally. That's not just anecdotal. There's good research behind it. Studies have found that gentle yoga during cancer treatment can reduce fatigue, improve sleep and help with anxiety. And unlike many things during this period, it's something you can control. What gentle yoga can do for you during treatment It helps with fatigue Counterintuitive as it sounds, gentle movement can actually reduce the tiredness that chemotherapy causes. When you rest completely, fatigue tends to build. When you move gently, even for just 20 minutes, your body responds by circulating oxygen more efficiently, which can leave you feeling more energised rather than more depleted. It supports your emotional wellbeing Treatment is stressful. The uncertainty, the appointments, the side effects, the way your body changes — it adds up. Yoga works directly on the nervous system through breathwork and slow, deliberate movement, and this has a measurable effect on anxiety and low mood. A lot of people find that an hour in a yoga class is one of the few times in the week when their mind quietens down. It helps you sleep Sleep disruption is really common during chemotherapy. Pain, discomfort, anxiety and the drugs themselves can all interfere with it. Regular gentle yoga (particularly the breathing and relaxation components) can help regulate your sleep patterns over time. It keeps your body moving Muscle weakness and stiffness can develop during treatment, particularly if you're less active than usual. Gentle yoga helps maintain the range of movement in your joints and keeps muscles from weakening unnecessarily. The key word is gentle — yoga for cancer patients looks very different from a standard yoga class. It connects you with other people Going through chemo can be an isolating experience. A yoga class — even online — puts you in a room (virtual or physical) with other people who understand what you're going through. That connection matters more than it might sound. What to be careful of Yoga is generally very safe for cancer patients, but there are a few things worth knowing before you start. Talk to your oncology team first. They'll be able to tell you if there are any specific reasons why yoga might not be suitable for you right now. Your yoga teacher will ask about your blood counts. Your platelet count needs to be high enough to exercise safely, and any surgical incisions need to be properly healed before you start. Listen to your body, every single session. Treatment affects you differently day to day. On the hard days, simply showing up and focusing on your breathing is enough. Hygiene matters during treatment. If attending an in-person class, use your own mat and props. Online classes sidestep this entirely. Stay hydrated. Drink water before and after your session. Where to start: a free online class with Mo Mo is an experienced yoga teacher who has trained specifically in teaching yoga for cancer patients. She isn't teaching a watered-down version of a standard class — she's teaching something built from the ground up for people in your situation. Mo runs free online yoga classes for cancer patients every Tuesday from 11am to 12pm. They're gentle, welcoming and a wonderful hour in the week. To join or find out more, email Mo directly: mo@yogaforcancernewforest.co.uk You don't need any previous yoga experience. You just need to show up.

Life Kitchen: A Free Cookbook Designed for Cancer Patients

One of the side effects of chemotherapy that doesn't get talked about enough is the change in taste. For some people, food stops tasting the way it should — metallic, flat, or just different in ways that are hard to describe. Eating becomes less of a pleasure and more of a chore, which is the last thing you need when you're trying to keep your strength up. Life Kitchen is a not-for-profit cookery school founded by chefs Ryan Riley and Kimberley Duke, both of whom lost their mothers to cancer. Ryan has spoken about watching his mother lose her sense of taste during treatment and feeling powerless to help. Life Kitchen was their answer to that. What's in the cookbook? The free cookbook contains 15 recipes built around three ingredients that research suggests help stimulate flavour even when taste is dulled by chemotherapy: Miso paste — umami-rich and one of the most effective flavour enhancers when taste is compromised. Spring onions — bring freshness and a gentle sharpness to dishes. Garam masala — adds warmth and complexity that cuts through the flatness chemotherapy can cause. The recipes are simple, practical and designed to be cooked by someone who might not have a lot of energy. They're not about being impressive — they're about making eating enjoyable again. How to get a copy The cookbook is free. Visit the Life Kitchen website (lifekitchen.co.uk) to download your copy or find out about their cookery classes. We'll keep this post updated if Life Kitchen release new resources. If you know of other free resources for cancer patients that we should feature, please get in touch at hello@chemotherapyheadwear.com.

Free Support and Resources for Cancer Patients: Our Recommendations

Over the years, I've come across some remarkable organisations doing quiet, brilliant work to support people through cancer treatment. These are the ones I recommend most often to customers — all of them completely free to access.Jen's Friends — Free Mastectomy PillowsJen's Friends send free heart-shaped mastectomy pillows to women recovering from breast surgery. The pillows are made by a network of volunteer crafters and filled with premium soft stuffing. All you pay is postage (£4 for one pillow, £6.50 for two).Find them on Facebook and message the team directly to place your request. Allow around three weeks for delivery. We've written a full post about Jen's Friends on this blog if you'd like to know more.Headwrappers — Free Scarf-Tying SessionsThere are monthly free scarf-tying sessions in partnership with Headwrappers every last Thursday of the month. Everyone who registers receives a free goody bag in the post containing a cotton headscarf, samples and discount vouchers.Headwrappers also run Tea, Topknots and Turbans — a twice-monthly informal chat session where patients can connect, share tips and hear from guest speakers. These sessions are particularly valuable for those who don't have easy access to in-person support.Register for the next session at www.headwrappers.org.Hair Reborn — Free Hair Styling ServiceHair Reborn is a charity that offers free hair styling appointments for people experiencing hair loss as a result of chemotherapy. If your hair is beginning to grow back and you're not sure what to do with it, or if you just want the confidence of a professional appointment, this is a wonderful service. Visit hairreborn.uk to find out more.Chemotherapy Headwear — Free Advice and ConsultationsWe're also here for you. Whether you have questions about what to wear, want to talk through the options or just need someone who understands — please get in touch. We offer free video consultations and have been helping patients and their families since 2008. Call us on 01590 381 395 or email hello@chemotherapyheadwear.com.

Free Online Scarf-Tying Sessions with Headwrappers: What to Expect

One of the things I'm most proud of at Chemotherapy Headwear is the free scarf-tying sessions we offer and the monthly sessions we help people join that are run by the wonderful team at Headwrappers, who have now joined forces with Look Good Feel Better.They started during lockdown when we were both looking for ways to support cancer patients who couldn't get to in-person events. They've kept going ever since — and have grown into something really special.What happens in a session?The sessions run on the last Thursday of every month, 11am–12pm. They're friendly, relaxed and genuinely useful. Here's what you can expect: Headwrappers send a free square cotton headscarf to everyone who registers, so you can follow along on the day and try each style as it's demonstrated. The Headwrappers team show you several different scarf-tying techniques, from classic wraps to turbans and more creative styles. There's time for questions, troubleshooting and a lot of warmth and mutual support between the women attending. Numbers are kept small on purpose, so everyone gets proper attention. You can join in and practise along, or just watch — there's no pressure either way.Tea, Topknots and TurbansHeadwrappers also run a separate, more informal session called Tea, Topknots and Turbans — held twice a month for anyone who wants to chat, share tips and hear from guest speakers on topics ranging from headwear and make-up to wigs and other charities. It's a lovely way to connect with other people who really understand what you're going through.How to sign upHead to www.headwrappers.org to register for the next session. Once registered, your free goody bag — including the cotton headscarf — will be posted out to you.Every session is fun, supportive and completely free. If you would like one-to-one support, please get in touch with me and I will book an individual appointment in with you.

Free Mastectomy Pillows from Jen's Friends: How to Get One

Working in cancer support for as long as I have, you come across some truly wonderful organisations doing quiet, brilliant work. Jen's Friends is one of them.They send heart-shaped pillows to women who have had a mastectomy or breast surgery. The pillows are shaped to provide comfort and protection as you heal — the kind of thing that makes the weeks after surgery a little more bearable. And they're free.How to get a Mastectomy PillowThe process is straightforward: Go to the Jen's Friends Facebook page and send the team a message via Messenger, letting them know how many pillows you need (one for a single mastectomy, two for a double). Send your delivery address. They'll come back to you with instructions on how to pay the postage — £4 for one pillow or £6.50 for two. Allow up to three weeks for delivery. The team are volunteers with full-time jobs, so a little patience goes a long way. Who makes the pillows?The covers are made by an army of volunteer crafters who donate their time and skills. The Jen's Friends team then stuff them with soft filling and get them out to the women who need them. It's a genuinely community-driven operation, and the warmth behind it shows in every pillow they send.Want to get involved?If you're crafty and want to contribute, head to the Jen's Friends Facebook page for the pattern and instructions. Donating a pillow cover is a lovely way to support other women going through breast cancer treatment.We also stock our own range of mastectomy pillows here at Chemotherapy Headwear — if you'd like something a little quicker or want to choose your own fabric, take a look at our range.