What are your favorite hobbies and distractions?
Whether it's waiting for a diagnosis, upcoming tests or procedures, or something unrelated to inflammatory bowel disease, we all feel overwhelmed from time to time. What are your favorite ways to get your mind off of things and feel better? Share your hobbies, distractions or self-care tips in the comments!
To get my mind off things, I like to play uplifting music. I find music to be so powerful. And even during a bad flare, I play calming music while in bed and it often puts me to sleep.
Doing yoga is another way that helps calm me down. I go online and find a video on Youtube and follow along. Every single time I feel so much better! It's a great tool for me.
Also, just being outside barefoot in the grass for a bit can do wonders for me. Fresh air and sun can be so therapeutic.
I'm eager to see what the rest of the community does. Sharing is great because we can all learn and grow from one another.
Elizabeth (team member)
I love gardening. Over the last 2 years, I've really learned a lot and I look forward to a few weeks when I can start planting seeds. Tasty treats I look forward to gathering an eating and passing on to others!
Kelly, IBD Team MemberWe have just moved into a bungalow, and don't have a fence yet, but gardening is something I really want to try and succeed at once the basics are finished!
I love the idea of spending time in the garden, nice smells drifting around - attracting wildlife too! Of course, I also want to try and grow things I can eat! I may be asking you for gardening tips 😉
- Sahara (team member)
I think I need to start gardening. This sounds magical.
Elizabeth (team member)
Recently, especially with social distancing in place, I've returned to both coloring (I love mandalas, and you can print many from online for free!) and sticker-by-number! Both things I can do whether or not I feel well.
I do Tai Chi, breathing exercises and mindfulness. When stress is especially high I will go for an accupuncture session.
Pleased you have found methods that help you cope
. Tai Chi is on my list of things to try 😀
I also struggle with mindfulness, like
! I really like the idea, I am just bad at it. My mind wanders far too much! I guess practice makes perfect, I just don't have the will to practice when I'm that bad at it! haha - Sahara (team member)
I absolutely LOVE acupuncture
. I started going in 2014 after my partial colectomy as a way to heal but continued going for stress management and highly recommend everyone make it part of their holistic health plan. --Julie (Team Member)
