Breaking the Emotional Connection to IBS - 5 Tips That You Can Try Today


by S Reynolds - Date: 2007-02-11 - Word Count: 603 Share This!

Regardless if lactose is aggravating your IBS or not, there is a good chance that your emotions are. Negative emotions and feelings such as anxiety, nervousness, fear, embarrassment and depression put a lot of stress on our body.

Studies revealed that those with IBS tend to have a harder time coping with stressful situations than the average person. Moreover, they are far more likely to react negatively, which consequently, has devastating effects on gut functioning.

A person who is under stress with IBS may experience dizziness, insomnia, and/or muscle aches, as well a severe case of IBS symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain

Stress does not cause IBS, but it can make symptoms more severe. This may be due to the fact that stress makes the mind more aware of spasms that occur in the colon, or because IBS might be set off by the immune system when compromised under stress.

To enable you to find help for IBS, you need to find ways to limit the stress in your life. The following are 5 tips you can try:

1. Exercise - Exercises, especially those that focus on the mind and body simultaneously, are excellent stress relievers without straining your gut. Exercises like Yoga, help you to clear your mind, focus on breathing, and stretch and strengthen your muscles.

2. Meditation -If you feel overwhelmed, learn how to clear and focus your mind through meditation. Take 20 minutes and clear your mind by concentrating on slowly inhaling and exhaling, or repeat a single positive word until this word is all you think about. You can meditate sitting, standing or lying down, but it's a good idea to meditate in a quiet room or outdoors.

3. Be good to your body - You need to develop a relaxing eating routine. Eliminate the foods that aggravate your IBS from your diet and eat your snacks and meals around the same time each day. You don't need to eat the same foods everyday, but you should ensure that your body is being properly fed and well hydrated.

When we are hungry and dehydrated, it is easier for us to become stressed and pick up bad eating habits that can aggravate IBS. Furthermore, don't rush through your meals. Relax and eat slowly.

4. Rest and relaxation - You need to find peace of mind. This may mean listening to soothing music, taking a warm bath, enjoying a cup of tea and snuggling up with a good book, watching your favorite movie or program, taking a walk, shopping, or enjoying a favorite hobby. Whatever it is you find relaxing, you need to make sure that you take time out of your busy day and enjoy it. Taking a break rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit. In addition, proper sleep is essential to ideal rest and stress reduction.

Peace of mind is also feeling good about your body. If your IBS symptoms are aggravating you, talk to you doctor about different treatments to help you find relief.

5. Find support - Release pent up emotions by talking to your partner, family member or friend, writing in a journal, or find support through other IBS sufferers.

IBS can be embarrassing, and often leaves many sufferers worrying about how close they are to a toilet at all times. These are feelings felt and understood by the vast majority of those with IBS. Joining an IBS support group will not only make you feel less alone, but you can also share your opinions and feelings with others, and may be able to find solutions to problems by learning through their experiences.

One of the best places to look for help for IBS is through support groups online.


Related Tags: ibs

By Susan Reynolds. To find out more about ibs symptom and for information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit Natural Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief, where you can sign up for a free newsletter focusing on managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome naturally.

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