LIVING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WHEN YOU HAVE IBS (IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME)

Getting through the holidays with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is no easy feat. The condition affects women more often than men and can be triggered by stress, certain foods, and specific activities like exercise.

The good news is that there are some things you can do to make your holiday season a little less stressful—and a lot more fun!

In this article, we'll share five tips for making your holiday season less stressful, so you can enjoy time with your loved ones without worrying about the condition.

Avoid Stress

IBS symptoms can be very uncomfortable to deal with during the holidays, especially if you're trying to have a good time. Stress is one of the biggest triggers for IBS, so it's essential to learn how to avoid stress-related symptoms during the holidays.

One way to avoid stress is by taking deep breaths in between conversations and interactions. This will help you focus on relaxing instead of thinking about your next move or what your family members are doing right now.

Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation can help lower anxiety and keep stress at bay. For those who can't make time for a class or don't have the funds for yoga classes, try practicing these techniques at home on your own! You might find yourself feeling more relaxed than ever before!

Get plenty of sleep! We all know this already, but it bears repeating—we need rest to function properly every day, especially when we're under stress from work or life. If you're having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because of your IBS symptoms, talk with your doctor about what might help improve your sleep quality. This will ensure that it doesn't impact your overall health!

Stay Hydrated

With so many parties and gatherings, it's easy to forget to stay hydrated. We tend to drink more alcohol than we should, which is dehydrating, and then there's all the heavy food. And if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you know that the holidays can be especially challenging.

If you've ever dealt with IBS, you know how frustrating it can be when your symptoms flare up at an inopportune time. Whether you're dealing with constipation or diarrhea, bloating and gas, or all three at once, holiday dinners and parties can cause even the healthiest of people to feel like they have the flu. But luckily there are ways to cope!

One way is by drinking plenty of water! Water helps keep things moving through your digestive tract and helps prevent everything from getting back up. It also keeps your body hydrated so it can correctly process the nutrients from your food—which means less bloating!

Take an Antacid before Eating

It's the season to be jolly (and bloated).

But if you're one of the many suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it can be anything but jolly. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort, constipation, diarrhea and/or alternating between these two symptoms. These symptoms can make it difficult to enjoy the holidays—or even get out of bed in the morning.

Everything you eat seems to cause more pain and discomfort than usual—even if you've consumed it before without a problem. The good news: there are ways to help ease your IBS symptoms during this festive season. Before eating, you can take an antacid. Antacids help neutralize stomach acid so that it doesn't irritate your digestive tract as much when you consume something hard on your stomach, like greasy or spicy foods. They also prevent gas buildup. This can cause bloating and discomfort when eating is difficult for other reasons like stress or travel plans getting in the way of regular meal times.

 

 

Avoid Trigger Foods

There are a lot of trigger foods out there, and they can be difficult to avoid. But if you have IBS, the holidays can make it even harder to stay away from them!

The good news is that there are ways to keep your symptoms under control during the holidays without skipping the festivities or going without all of your favorite foods.

One way to do this is by avoiding trigger foods in general—the less you eat them, the less likely you'll be to get symptoms. But for those who can't seem to avoid all their favorites, here are some tips for keeping things as stress-free as possible:

• Try eating small portions at first—you'll probably find that even though you feel like you want more food later when it comes time for dessert or appetizers, you don't need any more than what you've already eaten.
• Avoid overeating during meals—this is key! If you're eating three times a day and still hungry at dinnertime, try waiting an hour after lunch before eating again (and then waiting another hour before eating again). This will help prevent food overload at one meal and make you sicker than necessary when it comes time.

Eat Slowly and Mindfully

Eating too quickly can cause bloating and cramping, so take your time. When chewing food, please focus on the texture and taste and how it makes you feel physically. This type of mindful eating not only helps you slow down but also gives your body time to absorb nutrients from the food. This will ensure that you don't experience uncomfortable symptoms later in the day or at night.

It's also important to avoid getting into an argument with your body about what sorts of foods will make you feel better. For example, if you know that spicy food tends to irritate your gut, but you want some curry chicken or buffalo wings, try eating plain yogurt first so that the spices won't irritate your system as much!

In Summary:

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and food. Although you should be intentional about your food consumption during this time of year, don't forget that you deserve to relax and enjoy the season.

You can find ways to make your life easier and have a healthy holiday season. You may have to plan and make changes to your diet and lifestyle. In the end, it will be worth it when you don't have to spend the entire holiday in the bathroom!