Is being bored / having nothing to do an IBS trigger?

[Briggsy0304]

Hey all, veteran IBS sufferer here.

I'm interested to get peoples view on this as I don't think it's really discussed much. I think the mental health side of IBS is getting more attention over the last few years - which I think is great, but what about when you're not having major mental challenges (anxiety, depression) but just, very very bored.

I put this out there as I've been off work for a 4 month period now. I didn't really want to be off work, but my GP, CBT, family & friends have all been telling me for some time that my work & health aren't compatible, I just didn't really want to listen.

At first I was feeling relief from the stress of work. I still suffer from all of my symptoms daily despite the reduced stress (I also have my diet under control). I'm wondering how being bored can affect the gut?

I'm trying extremely hard to take in all of the advice - stick to the low fodmap diet, keep stress to a minimum, but as a result I'm pretty much housebound, eating the most bland of foods and just living an incredibly boring and dull lifestyle.

I know I wouldn't be bored if I didn't have IBS, I'd be working, travelling, exercising daily, spending my weekends socialising, building more relationships, however these things are just not in anyway compatible with IBS.

What are people's opinions of boredom & IBS.

Do you think boredom affects gut health / IBS Management?

Does being bored have a physiological impact which triggers IBS?

Is it possible to live a lifestyle with IBS which doesn't involve living an incredibly boring lifestyle?

[FRreedman]

Yes, of course, anything is possible, if you put your mind to it. In my case, I have just set up a neighbourhood watch scheme with the added bonus of assisting anyone who needs help within our watch area. It took me maybe two months of planning and then arranging for flyers to be delivered door to door, one meeting and that's it we are up and running.

Find out what is missing from your community, and try to see if you can implement it or get others interested in implementation.

BTW I had three years of being bored, because I wouldn't accept that I couldn't go to work anymore. It becomes a lot easier once you accept the inevitable.

[Laxmik]

I think the gut brain connection is very strong. Subconscious also effects IBS. You can live a full filling life with IBS. It will be difficult but not impossible. Please read reclaim your life from IBS. Have you thought about meditation? Start with baby steps. One day go out for a walk near your house. One day invite friends home. Start slowly and build what you can and can’t do. Being home all day will not do you any good.i recently travelled to mynamar after almost two years of no travelling. I was so scared that once I go there I will fall sick. Then nothing happened. I fell sick only once in ten days. That also on the last day because I was so excited that I ate more then I should have. So you can do everything. Overtime you will learn you limits if any. Take it one day at a time and build from there.

[Linley]

Oh yes, agree with FReedman if your mind is not comfortably occupied you can be in trouble with your gut. Recently retired I do a lot of Volunteering, my mind his happy and my tum is happy(most of the time) as I have a toilet nearby and meds with me if the necessity arises

[BabsyWabsy]

Linley, I am in the same boat as you. Retired about 12 months ago and volunteer for all sorts of things. I try not to let my gut issues rule my life. Keeping your brain busy helps a lot.

[Maureen1958]

I'm not sure I agree with the rest of you. But I am not trying to start an argument. Since my IBS started towards the end of my twenties, I have literally struggled through each day of my life, more so as I have got older. When I was working everyone said "it will go when you give up work and have a baby". It got worse. Then when my son left home at 18, now just turned 27, I really thought, with more time for myself I would get the better of it, but I'm still no better, worse if anything. I think it just depends on the individual and their symptoms.

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Maureen1958]

Sorry to hear of your experiences Maureen. Your IBS sounds similar to mine, practically impossible to manage & a daily challenge. I think some people have flare ups with IBS where as others are just constant. The idea of only having flare ups is a dream come true for me.

[Maureen1958 in reply to Briggsy0304]

Yes I know what you mean. I think that when I hear people talking about flare ups. But I do remember a time when I was working in London, that for a while, I used to have one day on one day off or there abouts. But I remember thinking at the time that it might just be easier if it was daily because the bad days seemed so awful after a good day. I guess we are never satisfied at humans.

[SydneySider123]

Certainly is for me. Being bored is like kryptonite for me, i hate it and it causes mental and emotional stress for me...and stress is a trigger. Plus, the whole "what is wrong with my gut" mind game gives me something to do, something to figure out when I'm bored. I don't create that "busy work" for myself on purpose but I really think that's what happens.

The key for me is finding the balance between over-scheduling and over-doing things (running from one thing to the next like a cartoon blur) and sitting around naval gazing. Both muck up my digestion.

Moderation in terms of meal size, consumption of individual foods, lifestyle, exercise, work commitments, social commitments - these help my belly stay happy. Simple enough but not easy.

[Briggsy0304]

Thank you everyone for replying. Some interesting ideas on here. Volunteering is a good idea, although I think before I volunteer I'll more likely be returning to work first. I'm a male in my 20s, 30 years still remaining on my mortgage, so not working really isn't an option for me long term unfortunately.

The baby steps idea is an interesting one, but something I have tried. I really am unable to take a short work without real discomfort 95% of the time. I make the effort to do things, but a lot of the time my symptoms are so bad that I just need to return home. Meditation may be something I'll look at.

[Cardiacphysiologist]

I’m glad I’m not the only one!! I rarely get IBS flare ups in the week when I’m at work but on my day off every week I spend the majority of it on the toilet! It seems that when I’m preoccupied I can ignore the cues from my bowel that it would like to act up.

I also find that if I haven’t eaten much that day I’m more likely to switch into IBS-D mode.

[Luisa22]

I would think if boredom causes you mental and emotional unhappiness and stress, then yes, it could make ibs worse for sure. It's amazing how boredom could even cause a kind of grief, for a life unlived, or things missing which were once enjoyed.

I am sure depression for instance could make IBS worse.

I however, don't mind being bored! lol! My life is boring, but I quite like it. I have small things which interest me each day, and a routine. But it's not what most people would expect from their lives. I always find things to do. There is always some work to do on my land or in my house, which occupies me, and there are the unexpected "social" events (such as dog walkers passing who stop for a friendly chat, or my neighbour, or my friend who visit from time to time.

But there are times I do feel a bit lost or lonely or something (?) too. I miss loved ones who have died. And if I get upset about it, that can make my IBS worse for sure.