Did you know that the things that are good for your overall health are also good for healing your IBS? Regular exercise is one of these top tier strategies.
I’ve spoken with so many women who have had IBS for a while and all say that, without a doubt, physical activity helps decrease their IBS symptoms. It helps keep things fluid … in a good way. And I agree!
So, if you know it helps you, why is it so hard to consistently exercise?
There are a lot of things that can get in the way and it’s worth it to remove those obstacles.
Episode 8 of Healing Her IBS podcast is about this underrated healing strategy and how you can create a daily/weekly routine you’ll enjoy.
Find the full transcript for this episode and other resources at HealingHerIBS.com/8.
Short Term vs. Long Term Fixes for IBS
Movement is both a short-term and long-term fix for IBS symptoms.
I know … you want to focus on the things that will take instant effect.
I understand that. To heal my pain I searched for the right supplements, the right diet, the right everything! At the beginning, I was in a frenzy trying to make it all better all at once. I thought there was a hidden, secret thing I needed to discover that would heal me.
I hadn’t considered exercise as something that could be beneficial but realized that the incremental benefits of moving my body every day are just as good as the long-term benefits of that habit.
I’ve discovered that many women have a conflicted relationship with their bodies and therefore, with exercise.
Working with women in my Healing Her IBS program, among many other things, I help women:
- Uncover and process beliefs about their bodies
- Find a routine they will enjoy.
- And instill the habit of moving every day.
If you’re curious about all the ways I help women with IBS who are sick of being sick to reduce triggers, zap flareups, find peace and get their lives back, go to HealingHerIBS/program to learn more and fill out the application. I’ll be in touch to invite you to a Discovery Call where we can get to know each other and be sure we’re a good fit. I’d love to work with you!
What’s the Best Type of Movement to Heal IBS?
Walking:
- Aids digestion
- Gets blood and oxygen flowing
- Regulates blood sugar
- Keeps stress hormones in balance
For me, walking reduced my bloating and constipation symptoms, and I found that low-intensity workouts, reduced the severity of my symptoms.
Research points to the fact that very high intensity exercise can potentially make IBS symptoms worse for some, so keep that in mind when venturing into a new exercise plan.
It’s essential to remember the gut brain axis and consider how huge a role stress plays in how IBS manifests, in how it got started and how it heals.
In all truth, the best movement for IBS is the kind that you love, the kind that you are motivated to do and that, over time, has a positive effect on your IBS symptoms and your outlook.
IBS is inflamed and exacerbated by stress so don’t let exercise, or your lack of it in a day, become a form of stress in your life.
If you want to start incorporating more movement into your life, ask yourself:
- What am I interested in doing?
- What’s easy for me to do?
- When will I do it?
The answer to these questions is not as prescriptive as you would think. Trust yourself and what you know about your own body over what others say is best.
For instance, any women love yoga for IBS because of the mind-body- spirit connection. Yoga can stimulate the body’s need for movement while calming your thoughts and facilitating mindfulness. It’s a wonderful option.
If yoga just doesn’t feel good or you find it boring consider walking, Tai Chi or Pilates classes. Which option works best for you, depends entirely on who you are and how your body and mind respond to them.
If you haven’t already, start a gentle and fun exercise routine today to prevent IBS symptoms from starting and help you heal over time.