During our research, we interviewed participants who experienced significant physical and psychological changes because of their illness. Perhaps you are experiencing something similar due to your condition. Maybe, you don’t look or feel like the person you used to be. This can affect how you see yourself, as well as how you are received by the outside world.

You may experience feelings of invisibility and disempowerment. Over time, these feelings can lead to motivation loss and feelings of hopelessness. As discussed often, negative emotions hurt physical health. This will directly influence how you manage your condition.

However, once you realise that you have control over your self-perception, you are more likely to feel empowered to improve the way others perceive you. There are several ways to work around your physical and psychological limits to create an emboldened version of yourself.

9 Body Language Strategies to Consider

Body language can determine how you are treated by the outside world. You may have found since having a chronic illness, that the number of times you feel ignored or overlooked by others has become more frequent. Lack of energy and self-doubt are common side effects which go hand in hand with chronic illness. Each of these contributes to a decrease in respect and visibility to others. To some people this may not matter, however, if you wish to increase the amount of respect and positive attention you command, then working on body language can help you with this. This will also lead to improvements in your emotional well-being and consequently, your physical health. We recommend you consider the following nine strategies:

1. Take Inspiration from Another Individual.

Visualize someone in mind who displays the type of body confidence you wish to acquire. This may be someone you know personally, a public figure or a fictional character. Channelling them can help you portray some of their mannerisms.

2. Exercise

Physical exercise like strength training or yoga has been shown to improve body confidence. This can come about through increases in muscle tone, mobility, and coordination. If your physical condition limits you, keep it to a more manageable duration and intensity.

3. Relaxation Techniques

Techniques such as mindfulness meditation can lead to you feeling more relaxed, especially if done regularly, over long periods. This will translate into greater body confidence.

4. Strength Identification

Carrying out a routine practice of listing out your strengths can lead to an increase in confidence. This will come across through the way you move. Think about the strengths you possess before chronic illness and those you have acquired since.

5. Posture

A strong posture usually commands respect from others. This means remaining upright sitting, standing, or walking. Focus on keeping your shoulders back, while you avoid staring at the ground. This may be difficult to get used to at first, but if you keep it in your mind’s eye and exercise routine, it can eventually feel more natural.

6. Engagement

Looking others directly in the eye helps to engage their attention. The same is true when you lean forward toward them or deliver a firm handshake.

7. Dress

As mentioned before, the method actors use clothes to help them fall into character. Dressing how you imagine a confident person to dress will help you to feel more confident. Consequently, you are more likely to appear more physically confident.

8. Self-Acceptance

People who accept themselves, including their imperfections, are more likely to display themselves confidently. Time spent convalescing can present an ideal opportunity to get to know yourself.

9. Find a Purpose

Acquiring a purpose will help you to increase levels of motivation and enthusiasm. This can often translate into greater body confidence. Chronic illness is a pivotal time which provides the opportunity for new meanings and purposes to be born.

We invite you to share your feedback with us. Have you tried any of these before? Have you tried anything different? What has worked for you? What has not worked?

Is there anything else you would like for us to cover?

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Our website is www.illnesscoaching.com

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As always, if you are experiencing any severe medical or psychological symptoms, we always recommend you speak directly to a qualified professional.

Thank you for checking in with us and we’ll see you again soon.