# How Coloring My Hair After Chemotherapy Helped Me Feel Like Myself Again

- Link: https://jandjinvestllc.com/how-coloring-my-hair-after-chemotherapy-helped-me-feel-like-myself-again/
- Published: 2024-11-01T15:32:52-05:00
- Author: J and J Health

“My hair may not be what it once was, nor am I.”

Being an elite athlete can be extremely rewarding, but it’s also hard on the mind
and body. Nobody knows that better than six-time Paralympic wheelchair racing medalist
Susannah Scaroni.

This summer alone, Scaroni earned five total medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympic
Games, in events ranging from the 800-meter women’s T54 event all the way up to 
the women’s T54 marathon race. (The T54 class includes people with spinal cord injuries
who compete in track events using a wheelchair.)

Additionally, Scaroni is a World Marathon Majors champion and a wheelchair racing
world record holder in the 5,000-meter distance. She’s also a registered dietitian
and works part-time in that capacity with the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball
teams at the University of Illinois.

Scaroni, whose spine was injured in a car accident at 5 years old and resulted in
her using a wheelchair, had a tough start to her season this year, missing both 
the Boston Marathon and London Marathon due to a shoulder injury.

“Ultimately, missing Boston and London were the right decisions,” Scaroni tells 
Well+Good. “As a result of taking time to heal from my injury, I felt amazing at
the Paris Paralympics. I had fun in all of the distances I competed in there, and
I’m really proud of what my body did.”

Scaroni’s start lines for the year aren’t over yet, though—she lined up for the 
Chicago Marathon in mid-October, but suffered a flat tire on her racing wheelchair
only a few miles into the race and had to withdraw. Now, Scaroni is entirely focused
on the TCS New York City Marathon on November 5.

“I won’t deny that I’m sort of nervous just because the New York City Marathon is
one of the most important races I do,” Scaroni says. “But at the same time, my plan
is to get the most out of my body that day and show what I’m capable of.”

As Scaroni begins to taper off her heavy workouts ahead of the TCS New York City
Marathon, which is produced by the New York Road Runners, she shares six self-care
tips that keep her emotionally and physically well year-round.

## 1. She uses mindfulness apps

With how much Scaroni travels, it’s essential that she be able to calm her brain
wherever in the world she is—especially when she’s in the middle of an intense training
session or key race.

Over the past few years, Scaroni has leveraged mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace
to help hone her ability to remain calm, present, and logical.

“For me, specifically, the breathing and sensory practices in most mindfulness apps
help me to get a little more control over my thoughts,” Scaroni says. “I practice
mindfulness every day, and I’ve gotten to where if I feel really overwhelmed, I’ll
be able to reconnect with the present and focus on the task at hand, which is usually
training.”

Scaroni actively works her mindfulness skills six days a week and views it as a 
non-negotiable when it comes to self-care, no matter where she is or what she’s 
doing.

## 2. She loves getting lost in a good book

Another non-negotiable self-care item for Scaroni is her Kindle ($280), which allows
her to bring thousands of books “on the go” and indulge in her favorite novels across
the globe.

“Reading helps me disconnect from my thoughts—if I ever were to forget my Kindle
on a trip, I’d probably have to go buy a book just so I can get that relaxation 
that I love from reading,” Scaroni says. “I love reading, and love being able to
open up a book and get lost in it.”

Scaroni’s favorite genre is fantasy, and ahead of the New York City Marathon, she’s
revisiting an old favorite: _The Lord of the Rings_ books ($17). She also re-read
the _Harry Potter_ series ($55) before and during the Paris Paralympics this summer.

Photo: Getty Images/Marco Mantovani/Contributor

## 3. She journals regularly

Before Scaroni went to the Paris Paralympic Games this summer, she worked with a
sleep consultant who helped to refine Scaroni’s sleep hygiene. After all, being 
an elite athlete requires an elite amount of sleep.

The sleep consultant recommended Scaroni use journaling as a way to help her brain
relax and process the day’s happenings before nodding off to sleep, and Scaroni 
immediately took to this suggestion.

“What I love about journaling is that if I need to have a conversation with someone
or process a situation, journaling helps me get the initial reaction I may have 
out of the way,” Scaroni says. “Then, I can think more about how I actually want
to have the conversation or handle the situation in real life.”

Scaroni says she always brings a journal to her races so she has an outlet for working
through her emotions, allowing her to be focused and present when it’s time to give
it her all. (If you want to take a page out of Scaroni’s book—pun intended—here 
are seven of our favorite journals.)

## 4. She blocks out all the noise

In line with her mindfulness practice, Scaroni likes to block out extraneous noise
in her life—literally.

A good pair of headphones—Scaroni likes Beats ($100)—allows Scaroni to zone in on
the things that are important to her during racing and training, like a phone call
with her husband, sister, or mom, and not be distracted by the literal and figurative
noise around her.

“I love having headphones on me during any trip so I have the option to talk with
family,” Scaroni says. “It’s fun to connect with them, and they’re always willing
to have a chat with me [ahead of a

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