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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/1/2013 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
How do you handle stress? When I get in fights with my boyfriend it makes my UC way worse but I don't know how to control the stress/emotions very well. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Posted 2/1/2013 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Whenever I get stressed out, I put in my head this thought: Do I want to keep my colon or do I want to end up having to get rid of it......

Work stress: I went on FMLA and now I am treated much better. I think no matter what kind of work you do, there will always be a certain amount of stress.

Home stress: I either try to minimize the stress or I will eliminate it. If that means I have to delete someone from my life, I will do it. My health is much more important to me than the person giving me the stress.
Posted 2/1/2013 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the response.
Posted 2/1/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Sara: That's a million dollar question. There are absolutely a thousand different ways of decreasing stress from meditation to popping pills but, in the end, stress is stress and everyone handles it differently. You could dump your boyfriend and get a new one or just be single for the rest of your life but then you would still have other stresses as a result of that. Relieving stress is easy to talk about but hard to do in reality. Life has a way of throwing stress in your face and that's never going to change. I wish I had better words of wisdom but I don't. All I can say is don't sweat the small stuff and try to save your stress for things that are truly stressful.
Posted 2/1/2013 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Mostly, this is a state of mind thing (or a zen sorta medication thing: ohm: lol). But certainly, having a more calm state of mind, and getting less worked up about everyday stress factors will help your uc, and your general outlook on things. It is just working on things that put you at a stress level of 10 and bringing them down to something more reasonable, it takes a lot of time, and practice. Stress is stress and it can never be avoided completely as we are surrounded by it (work, family, traffic, relationships, etc.). But certainly your reaction to it can be controlled.

If something is getting you stressed out then you gotta know to walk away, get away from the stress factor for a bit and formulate a solution when you can. Have a good way to cope to lower your stress levels naturally: go for a jog, read a book, and don't sweat the small stuff and just let it go without making a big issue of it (I liked the bit about is this worth loosing my colon over). Given, some stress factors are easier to avoid and cope with than others. In the case of relationships it often isn't as easy. But simple ground rules are to know what you do that aggravates your bf, and making sure he is clear on what he does that aggravates you, and trying your best to avoid those situations as a couple (e.g., my wife hates it when I leave the toilet seat up so I leave it down for her).
Posted 2/1/2013 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys.
Posted 2/2/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Sara. Ever thought about meditation or yoga? For me, its worked to settle my mind and head. Turn off the lights, sit in the corner of your room and just close out those thoughts that eat away at you.

Acupuncture believe it not works to control blood flow and relax your nerves. It has a soothing effect that makes you feel like you're weightless in the clouds after. And then shortly after, all of this pent up frustration and anger gets released! It's wild.
Posted 2/2/2013 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
That sounds really cool...Ive always wanted to try accupuncture but not sure I can afford it right now. I will have to look into it. I used to do yoga and loved it but havent done any in a while. Id like to get back into it as well as start meditating. Thank you for your advice.
Posted 2/2/2013 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
i write in my diary. if i can't express how i feel out loud, i just scream in words. i'll go on writing rants and it feels so good. it would be good if NOBODY ever saw my diary because there are harsh words about everyone in my life.
Posted 2/2/2013 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
why are you in fights with your boyfriend? What's his problem exactly?

q
Posted 2/2/2013 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
It's kind of goofy...

But I converted these to MP3 files and stuck them on my iPhone.

Free Morning Meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqwoxUdT6rc&list=UUVXpjppSZgkyQEGwoZHkeqg&index=1

Free Evening Meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqQ6***lvg&list=UUVXpjppSZgkyQEGwoZHkeqg&index=2

It's become a ritual of mine to start and end the day this way... Honestly the difference it makes is unreal.

My MP3 file sounds really good through head phones. It's very relaxing. Actually I listen to them while driving to work as well. Clears my head - allows me to focus on this and "feeling good" instead of worrying about other things or business and such as the mind has a tendency to wander while driving alone.

PS - Just don't close your eyes while you listen while driving!... smilewinkgrin
Posted 2/2/2013 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know why the link to the evening one doesn't work - but if you go to the morning one and look to the right of the video it should show up on the top right hand side - just click on it.
Posted 2/2/2013 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
Learn how to activate your Vagus Nerve
Posted 2/2/2013 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
Aside from the above - I got into very into rowing (single sculling) out on the water during the summer. Makes a huge difference. Something about warm, early mornings with just myself, the water, and the occasional beaver, crane...

Plus the movement, although at fist seems like it would hurt someone with a GI condition - i found it helped like there's no tomorrow.

Puts me in an instant de-stressed mood. Specially when I row and listen to the above at the same time, haha.
Posted 2/3/2013 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much everyone. I will check out those meditation links Mark. Thank you! I love working out and it is a huge stress reliever for me but I feel like I can't right now while flaring. :(
Posted 2/4/2013 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
I read books, now I never used too before I find getting lost in the book, using it as a type of escapism works for me also I am normally either sitting down relaxing or laying on the bed.  I started it as I was having trouble keeping my meds in, when I was in a flare it helped me take my mind off so the salofaulk would stay in.  I also started taking the books to the toilet which would take m y mind off the situation at hand and everything started happenning more naturally.  Helped me to stop the urge from pushing when there was really nothing there.  I have gone from not reading prior to Aug 2012 to having read over 36+ books.  I like vampire novels so have read L.J. Smiths., Lynsay Lands very good novels the Argenue series and am now starting Lara Adrians breed series found a cheap book website as I read them faster thatn I can get them from the Library.  I don't knoe if this would work for you but it is great therapy for me.  Good luck I hope you find something that works for you :)

mum of 3

Posted 2/5/2013 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks mum of 3! I do love to read. I have been reading in the bathroom too lately...it does help take your mind off it, I agree.
Posted 2/5/2013 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Sara14- I don't have any advice as I am dealing with my own issues with handling stress. Everyone gave you a lot of wonderful advice. Thank you for posting this thread. :)
Posted 2/5/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
You are so welcome. :) Im glad it helped you as well.
Posted 2/5/2013 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Everyone one is different and what works here for some does not work for others but we must find something I also love the music in my iphone i just tune in and at the same time tune out which is great. I am so glad reading works for you Sara as that is a part of the challenge with disease stress seems to be one of my triggers. Putting ourselves first and foremost is very important as well and with my strict diet thinking ahead especially when I am out over mealtime has become a must as i eat alot of boiled RSPCA or organic chicken with rice and steamed broccoli.

mum of 3
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