So what has worked for me to contain my IBS?

Hi,

A number of readers have asked me this question (or some form of it). "What has worked for you in summary to control your IBS?"

Ok, so here goes.

Basically,


1. Diet was the biggest change for me. Tracking "safe" and "terrible" foods with a cheatsheet was one the best thing I did. Now I am almost a vegetarian now. I do eat fish and occasional meat (chicken). No red meat at all.
2. Ritualised practices (in the morning)

1. Before I get out of bed, I do a few "sudden kick" exercises, while lying on the bed. The purpose is to get some bowel movement.
2. Every morning, I have a glass of warm honey (good honey, not commercial ones) before having any breakfast.
3. Bowel movements is VERY important. I make sure I do this at a specific time every day. If I have a fairly good movement, my day will be great. I get to smell the flowers.

3. I really watch what I eat for lunch, tea and dinner. I basically become less adventurous now with food and it saves my day. I guess it is what we, IBS sufferers have to accept in our life. We cannot be too adventurous with food. Read what happen to me when my greed got the better of me.. I suffered!

4. I try to get some exercise done everyday. Yoga is my minimal workout. I will either get a swim or a jog if I can make it. My yoga exercises focuses on the stomach area. I have a number of yoga stances in my website: www.ibs-relieftips.com. Pick some tips there.

5. For dinner, I eat fruits first. ( I will post something on this later) before my dinner. I finish off with warm water.

6. For a very light snack before I sleep, I take a cup of yogurt. I am lucky that I am not milk intolerant. yogurt basically saved my life. At one time I could not even take soya but after months of healing, I am now able to take soya in moderation. Soya is good stuff.

7. I wind down for the day fairly early. Get as much as 8 hrs of sleep. I start to wind down about 2 hours before either watching a movie or TV or read a book. I sleep at regular hours. I try not to stay up too late.

8. Before going to bed. I meditate. It is really refreshing to calm the mind down. Ops! I just realised I have not posted anything on how to meditate.. I will post one soon. Just sign up or be my blog friend and you'll get the posting soon.

Another important tip. Stress management. I can't really tell you how important this is. For my case, I quit my job to take control of my IBS because I knew one of my IBS major cause was Job Stress. I now work for myself. I guess it is a blessing in disguise. Please I am not saying to quit your job. You will have to evaluate your own circumstances to decide on this. I have learnt a lot from this book I picked up years ago.

This is my regiment, my daily ritual and it has saved me. Maybe it is the ritualized things that I do that started the healing process.

Best in IBS health
Terry