Stress

[ivesy]

so I've had a real stressful day at work and my ibs d is really starting to play up. Can anyone suggest any ways to work through the stress or any techniques? I just can't seem to deal with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[bburzycki]

Stress relief is different for everyone. Knowing how you respond to stressors is key.

I use everything from shutting off the outside world and listening to Audible.com books to lose myself from everyday everything. To a long hot shower (now basically illegal here in CA)

But it all matters on what you enjoy and what you feel de-stresses you.

[Hidden]

You could try having some counselling - that will definitely help you by giving you relaxation techniques

Also you could just try yourself - start at your eyes and relax them, then your jaw, shoulders and all the way down your body - you could pop to the loo to do it

[binks]

I have tried all sorts - hypnosis was hideous and I couldn't carry on after 3 sessions. I find mindfulness is the best strategy for me. I bought a book called "The Mindful Way through Anxiety" by S. Orsillo and L. Roemer. The exercises are really easy and as short as you want them to be. But the concept is helpful to me when I feel the creeping feeling of anxiety coming on. You can use the techniques wherever you are and nobody would notice!

[ivesy in reply to binks]

Thanks guys, im really struggling this morning, sat at my desk at work and stomach is going haywire. I dont feel particularly stressed now but i know i was yesterday evening and the effects on my stomach tend to last a couple of days. Does anyone else get that? So fed up of having to put up with this.

[louise231 in reply to ivesy]

I know exactly what you mean. It can be a vicious circle for me - I worry that I will have stomach problems when I'm at work and then get quite stressed about it and the that makes my stomach churn. I can be in a heightened anxiety state for days if I get an upset stomach. It's all connected.

[ivesy in reply to louise231]

Yeah i definitely feel the same way. One stressful day and im knocked out for about a week! My doctors think its all psychological, and i guess they have a point. However even when im under no stress i still have a bad stomach so it doesnt really all add up.

[grahamrupertrules]

hi

Pilates helps i find. smiling and walking out of the office for some fresh air if only for 2-3 mins. i call this my non smoker break! ibs gets you down. this last 2 weeks hasnt been good.pottering in the garden after work if only for ten mins helps as long as im not actually in pain.

[ivesy in reply to grahamrupertrules]

Thanks Graham, i do that a lot too! This morning has been pretty terrible. Ive not been able to do much as just trying to hold back the nausea. Its such an ongoing struggle. This forum helps though, being able to express how im feeling.

[dachshund]

I've recently read in a book called "Irritable Bowel Solutions" by Professor John Hunter from Cambridge that "Swallowing air" is a big contributor to anxiety. Breathing gently and slowly with mouth closed can be done anywhere - I think we do unconsciously breathe with our mouths open a lot of the time. This may help.

[LouisaG]

I used Reiki and reflexology and it really helped with my stress and stopped my IBS from flaring up. Its good to build regular relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation into your routine not just when you are stressed. Taking a proactive approach will help you.

[runswithdogs]

Exercise if you can manage it. Gentle yoga poses if your guts are rotten, but during the better times try and exercise more regularly and vigorously. I think my IBS and stress are very interconnected. If you're having a stressful moment, or a short bad bout of pain or potential incontinenence, try repeating a mantra over and over in your head to let you focus on something else. One like 'this too shall pass, this too shall pass' might help, there's loads on the internet. Feel better.

[ElkaAnn]

You can use a guided meditation. You don't need to know how to meditate, just listen to the commentary. You can keep your eyes open or closed. Concentrate on the thoughts and words of the commentator. This is one of the best guided meditations I have ever used for stress.

youtube.com/watch?v=TgycF0J...(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden]

I find that exercise is the best stress buster. My bloating goes down within minutes of hitting the gym. Fast walking in the fresh air also helps. Failing that a stiff drink helps me relax!