(866) 552-4866 Do Any of These Emotional Responses to Varicose Veins Sound Familiar?
- Hesitations about showing your legs in public
- Embarrassment about physical changes to your legs and feet
- A general lack of confidence in your body image
- Increased stress, low self-esteem, and anxiety levels
- A sense of isolation and hopelessness while struggling to manage symptoms
- Fear of future health complications
- Financial concerns over future medical bills, treatments, etc.
- Frustrations with ineffective treatments
Are your varicose veins causing you to have body positivity issues? Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to help you reclaim healthy legs and a happier, more confident life.
Is It Possible To Love Your Legs with Varicose Veins?
At StrideCare, we want everyone to love their legs and practice self-love year-round, and this is especially relevant in February, the month of Valentine's Day and the season of love. However, that can be easier said than done when one in every three adults over 45 develops some form of vein disease. Spider veins and varicose veins are typically the first sign that your veins are no longer working as they once did. The veins in your body are constantly supplying your vital organs with the blood they need to function efficiently and healthily. However, as we age our veins can narrow and vein valves can stop working properly as well. Think of this process like a kink in a garden hose, where water cannot flow freely. When our veins narrow and valves malfunction, blood flow is impeded and can ultimately flow backward. This results in veins bulging, stretching, and enlarging to compensate for the excess pressure.
Approximately 25 million men and women in the United States suffer from varicose veins. Initially, there may be no symptoms other than unsightly spider veins and varicose veins. If left untreated, uncomfortable leg pain can develop and limit how much you can do in your daily life. This can include the following symptoms:
- Tired, heavy legs
- Throbbing or stabbing pain
- Swelling and achiness
- Numbness and tingling
- Itching, prickling, pulling sensations
- Burning sensations
- Leg cramping
If you are like Donna, your varicose veins may be more of an unsightly condition than a painful one right now, and it may feel impossible to embrace and celebrate your body. There is legitimate psychological trauma and mental health impact that comes with having to deal with varicose veins. The appearance alone can make you feel physically unattractive from head to toe—even though the condition is limited to your legs. These feelings are often made worse by a society that emphasizes flawless appearances. As a result, even the most outgoing person retreats and becomes increasingly modest. They will often express a negative evaluation of their own body and be highly self-critical as they compare their legs to societal standards. Over time, they may opt for jeans or leggings to avoid exposing their legs, and the negative self-esteem might have a ripple effect on relationships, social activities, and even career opportunities.
What many may not realize is that the stress and anxiety they are experiencing can worsen their varicose veins—in appearance and painful symptoms. When we are stressed, our blood pressure rises, which also means the pressure on our veins rises. This causes our blood vessels to weaken, making it difficult for our heart to pump blood against gravity. Then, our veins malfunction. Blood pools in the legs and lower extremities such as the legs, ankles, and feet—and varicose veins develop. Leaving your body in a constant state of stress could eventually push you from an asymptomatic state to feeling like your legs are constantly tired, heavy, and occasionally painful.
7 Tips for Living With Varicose Veins and Loving Your Body
Upon visiting your vascular doctor, you may learn that your veins are still functioning despite the ever-present varicose veins. As a result, you and your doctor may decide to take a wait-and-see approach to future treatments. Or it may be that your medical insurance requires you to try conservative treatments---such as exercise, dietary changes, and compression stockings—before a vascular procedure is approved. In these moments of having to live with varicose veins for an unspecified period, it is important to know that you are not alone and that acknowledging your feelings is the first step to emotional acceptance and healing.
Rather than focusing on perceived flaws, here are a few body positivity tips to consider:
- Maintain a healthy perspective on life — Many people with varicose veins are limited by painful symptoms. They struggle to sit or stand for too long, and walking or staying active with friends and family may be challenging. Take comfort in the fact that you do not have a permanent disability. You can still mingle at a charity dinner event, go to the beach, dance, work out at the gym, go on vacation, and do whatever your heart desires.
- Practice gratitude — Reframing your negative thoughts into positive ones can be a great way to overcome the emotions that come with having varicose veins. For instance, picture yourself confidently wearing clothes you love and remind yourself that beauty comes in many forms.
- Treat yourself to a makeover — A makeover could include getting your nails or toes painted, a new haircut, relaxing facials and leg massages, and even new clothes and accessories that make you feel comfortable while still daring to show a little skin along the way.
- Surround yourself with positivity — One of the turning points in Donna's journey was being around confident women who learned to remain positive despite their own health struggles. Surround yourself with people who exude confidence and body positivity. This could include in-person events. It can also include social media groups that promote loving your body and self-love.
- Talk to your partner/spouse/family — Confide in your family that you are struggling emotionally with your varicose veins. Talking through these issues helps them understand where your mind is at and opens the door to emotional support and guidance you may not have benefited from had you stayed silent about your thoughts and feelings.
- Seek professional help — To piggyback on the previous tip, there are tremendous benefits to reaching out to a professional counselor to talk through your body positivity issues. This is especially true if you are dealing with persistent stress and depression.
- Take advantage of relaxation techniques — Deep breathing and engaging in enjoyable activities such as working out, breathing exercises, yoga, or listening to calming music can help you slow your mind and body down emotionally. Massage is also a great way to limit stress and stay in a relaxed state of mind.
You do not have to live with varicose veins forever. Schedule a consultation with StrideCare's expert physicians at one of our vein clinics near you.
Additional Tips for Living With Varicose Veins
You and your vascular doctor need to talk about your varicose veins and the next steps in terms of medical treatments. More than likely, they will suggest various lifestyle changes and practical tips you can implement right now to improve your ability to live with varicose veins. Examples include but are not limited to the following:- Improve your diet to boost energy, lose weight, and promote overall blood circulation.
- Invest in compression socks to support your legs, reduce swelling, and limit symptoms.
- Elevate your legs for at least 30 minutes, four times each day to decompress veins.
- Avoid tight clothing as you bundle up for the winter months.
- Exercise regularly to improve blood flow throughout the body.