10 Strategies to Help You Feel Beautiful When You're Chronically Ill

Let’s face it. It’s hard to feel attractive in your own skin when dealing with chronic health issues and feel like your body is turning on you.

If I am sick, I struggle with feeling beautiful in my own skin. I remember becoming sicker and sicker, and people would continue to tell me how great I looked. I’m sure I looked at a few of these people like they had three eyes. I may have looked great, but honestly, at times, I felt like I was dying. That’s the thing about living with chronic illness and invisible health conditions. There are times when it can all feel like a cruel joke.

It’s hard to feel attractive when you are crawling from room to room… or when your stomach is distended from gastroparesis… or when you’re throwing up because you are so dizzy and your blood pressure has plummeted… or when you are taking a shower and some of your hair falls out because you are not getting enough blood to your brain. It’s hard to feel attractive when your fatigue is so severe, you feel as if you have a never-ending case of the flu, it can make managing chronic health feel impossible.

But in my opinion, it is possible to feel beautiful, and it’s something that takes time and conscious effort. As I’ve learned to live with long-term health conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, I’ve found that the following chronic illness self-care strategies often help me:

1. Find a purpose.  When I am working toward something I feel passionate about, it makes living with chronic illness a bit easier, and I feel better in my own skin.

2. Give. When I am doing something for someone else, I can’t help but feel better about myself.

3. Have a sense of humor.  Find a way to laugh at yourself. If you have to wear horribly ugly compression stockings that roll down the minute you get them on because they help with managing chronic health, make a joke about how sexy they make you feel.

4. Once in a while, get dressed up and strut your stuff. This year I have worn more dresses to school. When people comment that “I’m so dressed up,” I usually just shrug it off… but in the back of my head, I am more often than not thinking about the year I could not work and became so sick of the same few pairs of yoga pants I wore day in and day out. At times, you should not underestimate the power of a beautiful pair of earrings or a new shirt.

5. Accomplish a goal. Nothing makes me feel more in control of my body then when I accomplish something I have worked hard for, or even fought for.

6. When people tell you, you look great try saying thanks. And then believe them. They usually mean it, and are speaking out of love and kindness. This is something I continue to work on.

7. Do something for your body.  Believe it or not, I have come to realize that my body is not my enemy. It’s begging to be loved and cared for, especially when dealing with chronic health issues. Eat healthy. Drink a lot of water. Make a lifestyle change. Take a nap. Strengthen muscles—even if you have to lie on the floor to do so. I believe there is always some kind of exercise you can do to help support your body’s chronic illness self-care needs.

8. Sleep and rest. Sleep is my best friend. I feel the best after I’ve had plenty of rest. People who know me best, know not to mess with my sleep.

9. Surround yourself with positivity.  When you are around people who bring out your best self, it’s hard not to let your light shine through. This kind of support can make a huge difference for those living with chronic illness or other long-term health conditions.

10. Finally, practice positive self-talk. We are our biggest critics. Give yourself a break once in a while and tell yourself you are beautiful. This is the body you have for life. You can either choose to hate it or love it. Find the beauty within and love it to the core.

Thinkstock Image By: BerSonnE