Stress Relief Techniques to Reduce Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Besides a proper diet, patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome can test various stress relief techniques to soothe symptoms of IBS. Our digestive system is connected with a brain and is subordinated to its control. That is why many people can feel a huge benefit when starting to apply them and calm their overactive stress response. Even though stress represents a normal human’s reaction to various life circumstances and life events, people with IBS usually tend to overreact. By applying relaxation techniques, they can feel the many benefits such as decreasing anxiety, better sleep, greater concentration, better memory, improved sense of self-confidence, and relaxed muscles. The article “Diseases and Conditions – Irritable Bowel Syndrome” suggests a few stress relief techniques to reduce Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

• Counseling. In some cases, a psychologist or psychiatrist can help you learn to reduce stress by looking at how you respond to events and then working with you to modify or change that response.

• Biofeedback. This stress-reduction technique helps you reduce muscle tension and slow your heart rate with the feedback help of a machine. You’re then taught how to produce these changes yourself. The goal is to help you enter a relaxed state so that you can cope more easily with stress.

• Progressive relaxation exercises. These help you relax muscles in your body, one by one. Start by tightening the muscles in your feet, then concentrate on slowly letting all of the tension go. Next, tighten and relax your calves. Continue until the muscles in your body, including those in your eyes and scalp, are relaxed.

• Deep breathing. Most adults breathe from their chests. But you become calmer when you breathe from your diaphragm, the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. When you inhale, allow your belly to expand. When you exhale, your belly naturally contracts. Deep breathing can also help relax your abdominal muscles, which may lead to more-normal bowel activity.

• Mindfulness training. This stress-reduction technique helps you focus on being in the moment and letting go of worries and distractions.

• Other techniques. Set aside at least 20 minutes a day for any activity you find relaxing — listening to music, reading, playing computer games or just soaking in a warm bath.

Furthermore, it is worth to mention meditation as a powerful technique that can improve the overall state of our body and mind. Meditation helps us to connect with our soul, accept ourselves as who we are, and find our power, which often lies in our true authenticity. The benefits of meditation have been known for centuries, and we need them today more than ever. Although we cannot expect fast results, improvements in our health that brings regular meditation are often long-term. If we want to get positive outcome, we should only sit in a quiet place for 10 to 15 minutes and feel our connection again – with ourselves, with other people, with planet Earth, and with the Universe. Through this connection, we will feel more joy and energy that will not only help us feel better, but significantly improve the quality of our lives.