Getting through cancer treatment is a huge accomplishment. The moment you're finished with your final session, it can feel like you're on cloud nine. You've done something incredible.
Unfortunately, it may not take long for those positive feelings to waver.
Cancer treatments are often intense and can cause noticeable changes to your body. While those changes are necessary to fight back against the disease, many can linger once treatment is done.
That can leave you with low self-esteem. You might even start to struggle with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety
Whether it's healing from major surgery, dealing with hair loss, weight fluctuations, or a change in your sex drive, it's not uncommon for the after-effects of cancer treatment to make you see yourself differently.
So, how can you regain confidence in your body after your treatment journey is over?
Common Body Image Issues
Going through cancer treatment can make you feel strong on the inside, but lose confidence in your external appearance. Because both the disease and treatment can cause your body to change, it's not uncommon for your physical appearance to affect your self-esteem.
If you're feeling "off" after your treatment or you're struggling with your self-confidence, it could be the result of how you see yourself when you look in the mirror.
Some of the most common signs of body image issues are:
Your feelings about your body are affecting other areas of your life
You speak negatively/harshly about your image
You avoid seeing your own image as much as possible
You obsessively try to change your image with makeup/grooming
Unfortunately, we're currently living in a period that makes it harder than ever to avoid your own image. If you're working remotely, for example, you might be one of the 300 million people logging into Zoom meetings every day.
So, what can you do if you're struggling with any of these problems?
Explore Your Emotions
You might feel negative about having a negative image of yourself. After all, you just went through something life-changing and came out on the other side. But, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is ignoring how you really feel.
By shoving your feelings aside, you're putting yourself at risk for them to "bubble up" and explode later.
Instead, accept how you're feeling. Accept the loss you've experienced when it comes to the way you used to look. It's okay to feel sad or frustrated. It's okay to grieve.
Once you've worked through those feelings, you can attempt to shift your mindset. Focus on the things you've been through and how they have made you stronger. What have you gained from this experience, and how have you changed positively?
Focus On What You Can Change
When it comes to your physical appearance, there are things you can and can't control. For example, if you lost your hair during treatment, you can't make it grow back any faster. But, you can opt for a wig, or choose to wear hats when out in public.
If your skin became dull and dry, you can't change it overnight. But, you can use creams and lotions to bring back hydration and elasticity.
If you experienced weight loss, you can purchase clothes that fit better for now, and work on slowly regaining the weight over time.
By focusing on the things you can control, you're less likely to get frustrated. Most image issues you'll face after cancer treatment are temporary. It may take a long time to get back to normal. But, you can take comfort in knowing most of them aren't permanent.
When it comes to physical issues like surgery scars, they will typically fade over time, too. You can help that process with different creams and body butter. But, it's okay to accept the fact that you may always have a scar or two.
Instead of looking at those scars as something "ugly" or embarrassing, consider the fact that you get to stand there and see them. You made it through something that not everyone else gets to. A surgery scar is a sign of strength and victory.
In addition to changing what you can and accepting what you can't, regaining confidence can come from leading a healthy life.
Practice self-care every day. Develop healthy habits that make you feel good about yourself, inside and out. Get enough sleep, work out if you feel strong enough, and take time to relax each day.
Your body has been through a lot. While it's understandable to feel self-conscious at first, realizing what it's done for you can make you more accepting and willing to love
