DYK? The cause of IBS is often stress related. Stress is a very personal event. What is stressful to one person may be nothing to someone else. So I cant give you the magic bullet that will reduce your stress, but I can give you some good suggestions for you to try in your life. In many cases reducing the stress in your life will reduce your IBS. Here are some suggestions~Enjoy! 1. Exercise is our number one stress management tool. Whether its aerobic, anaerobic, strength training, I dont care what it is, as long as its something that you will do regularly, at least three days a week and preferably four to five days a week. Find at least half an hour, if not an hour, to really boogie in some area: swimming, biking, Pilates, yoga, dance, it doesnt matter. Make it something that you really enjoy: golfing, martial arts, canoeing. I dont care. If you golf, dont take a cart. Find something that you love because it helps you be more energetic and more focused on the days you work out than the days you dont. 2. Sleep is also very important. At least seven to eight hours a night. Sleep is where we regenerate all of our cells. When were busy every single minute and busy during our day, is that where were most creative? No! Our most creative moments are usually where were resting and where were relaxing because we have a space. Our body is the same way. Sleep is where our body heals and repairs all of our cellular functions. 3. Make time for yourself and make time for people you care about. Making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I think that the most important part of managing relationships is time with loved ones. Its so important to prioritize and schedule and make appointments with yourself for the things that are important to you in your life. 4. When were under stress, we breathe really shallowly. So what Id like you to do, even though I cant see you (Its probably better we cant see you!), is take one hand and put it on your belly, and the other hand and put it on your chest over your lungs. I want you to take a breath and see what moves. Does the hand on your chest move or does the hand on your belly move when you inhale? When were stressed, we breathe from our lungs, its all from the upper chest, and were not getting the deepest amount of oxygen in our body as possible. But when were relaxed, we breathe through our belly. So what I want you to do is to take three deep breaths. Take an abdominal breath. What I want you to do is put your hands on your belly and as you inhale, I want you to feel that the breath goes all the way down into the bottom of your belly. Theres almost no time that you cant just take three deep breaths. If you take five or ten, it centers you even that much more because it brings more oxygen to your brain. It also brings more glucose to your brain so that you can focus better and think more clearly. 5. Lastly, remember that we all need to be touched and nurtured everyday – whether its just a hand shake or a pat on the back or a big hug. In the sixties, there was a big hugging campaign. Its very important. So, either be nurtured by others, or find ways to nurture yourself---one of my favorites is a trip to the library. I can get books, CDs, videos, and even prints for free or nearly nothing. Other nurturing things I do for myself include: taking a long bath with baking soda and Epsom salts, taking a walk, listening to music, sitting in my yard or on my deck, playing with the cat, reading a good book, calling a friend, etc. Find your own ways of self care! Wishing you the best of health!
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 14:35:17 +0000
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