My Crohnstipated Life

How do we take care of ourselves aiming to maximize the length and quality of our remission period, and how to make the most of it? I’ve been doing some research, asking my therapist friends in regards to this topic and here is a list of suggested tips and strategies.

1. FIRST and foremost, talk to your doctor. Find out what they suggest. 
2. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Nasty irritants anyway, but they really irritate the intestinal lining and can degrade your overall health. 
3. Stay in control of your healthy weight.
4. Eat healthy, fresh, and nutritious foods. Pack on the vitamins and minerals you may have been lacking.  Ask your doctor about probiotics as a supplement- I swear by them.. You’ll feel better and your immune system will thank you.
5. Set your goals. Remember all the things you wanted to do when you were in a flare-up and unable to contemplate getting off the couch? Now that you feel well it is too easy to push things that you recognized as important onto the ‘later’ pile. Don’t! Grab those projects and goals and throw yourself into them.
6. Detoxify your life. We don’t know the cause of Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative colitis, but the medical community is starting to suspect genetics combined with environmental factors. We can control our environment so it can’t hurt to give that some attention. Try to incorporate more wholesome, fresh, organic foods, and natural cleaning products and cosmetics.
7. Simplify your life. Do you have friends or family members who are always negative and toxic? Keep them with your old shoes, at bay.
8. Minimize your stuff. Extra belongings and junk can clutter up our homes and offices and create a burden on us for cleaning, organizing and just living.
9. Exercise for life. While there may not be a link between IBD and lack of exercise, exercise does contribute to your overall health. Months or years of being inactive can take a drastic and hidden toll on your body. Now that you are physically feeling well, treat yourself to some movement!
10. Create awareness of Crohns. Consider volunteering or donating to support Crohn’s and Coilitis awareness and the search for a cure.