Ulcerative Colitis can have an impact on our mind and body. It’s so important to live our best lives, and the core of this starts with our mindset, as well as having the right tools to thrive. Here are some approaches that can make a big difference to you.
Get Your Mindset in Shape
Rather than thinking this is a hindrance, it’s far better for you to learn how to reduce your stress by getting your mindset in shape. There are things that we can all do to improve the structure of our lives, for example, find a job, but we can also build relaxation practices into our lives to reduce stress and increase our sense of wellness. For example, yoga and meditation have long been touted as a way to help us calm down. There are other things that we can also do, such as deep breathing practices, progressive muscle relaxation, and having a structure in our lives. Routine is so important for our sense of mind, body, and soul.
Seek Help
You might not feel like you should be able to ask for help, but there are a wide variety of resources around. Seeking help, either by talking to someone like a friend or finding local support groups can help you understand that there is always support out there. If you feel like you are doing this by yourself, you should remember that problem shared is always a problem halved.
Understand the Dietary Triggers
Everybody is unique, not least when it comes to Ulcerative Colitis. Understanding your specific dietary triggers can make a big difference. You could benefit from eliminating dairy, as this can greatly reduce flare-ups; and replace milk with an alternative such as soya milk, coconut milk, or lactose-free milk. You may also have issues if you consume too much fibre, therefore, reducing fibre can make a big difference. You can also benefit from eating vegetables, however, you need to know which ones are palatable for you. One way around this is to boil root vegetables so they are softer and easy to digest and make sure you avoid raw vegetables and salads.
Eating Healthily
Eating well is so important to our sense of wellness when we have Ulcerative Colitis. We need to learn how to live with Ulcerative Colitis, and this could all hinge on understanding your dietary triggers, but you can also find it useful to come up with an action plan to minimise symptoms where possible. For example, you might find it beneficial to eat smaller meals. Having 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 big meals could help. You can also benefit from drinking more fluids, and if you’re not able to consume enough fluids, you can increase your electrolytes through rehydration tablets and reducing alcohol. You could also benefit from taking food supplements as you might not be getting enough minerals and vitamins in your diet. For example, you may benefit from iron supplements if you are experiencing excessive blood loss.
It is important to have an understanding of the pillars of lifestyle and diet. We are all individuals, so if you provide the right pillars, it can make a big difference in minimising your symptoms and improving your quality of life.