You Don't Have to be Productive During a Flare
When you are down for the count and trying your best to just get through the day due to a nasty flare, it is okay to rest. That's right, I said it, it's okay to rest.
Throughout my journey of being an advocate and writer for Crohn's disease, I have met and spoken with so many others plagued with this diagnosis. It's hard.
The journey is filled with endless ups and downs. Some have to resort to life-altering surgery and some even pass away tragically due to complications.
This disease should never be taken lightly. Our bowels are the pinnacle of our health.
Allowing ourselves to rest when needed
We should be so focused on doing whatever our body needs from us in order to heal, recuperate, and function. Because without our digestive system, well, we have nothing left.
I shamelessly bask in the gift of rest. I have to say, I am pretty good at balancing my days and inserting pockets of rest throughout the day. At the moment, I am blessed to work from home.
I make my own schedule and have a lot of flexibility. If there is a chance for me to take a nap in the afternoon on a day where I had little sleep from dealing with symptoms, you better believe I am going to nap. And I am not going to feel guilty about it for one second.
Rest is crucial during a Crohn's or UC flare
Thankfully my doctor encourages me to rest as much as I can, especially during a flare. She told me your body does most of its repairing while asleep. In other words, rest is crucial and naps are always a good idea. Of course, if your body isn't calling for rest, then that is another story. But if you feel you need it, go for it!
I think it is a cultural thing that has most Crohn's patients, here in the USA at least, feeling extremely guilty for resting. We love to work, work, work, and work some more for over-time. Productivity, and earning a good-paying living is so important for us.
Focus on health
Sadly, a lot of us put work before family and health even, and of course, we know this never turns out well. Without health we have nothing. Health is the wealth we need to focus on, first and foremost.
So, in lieu of that, I am here to be the one to let you know that it is okay to rest. It is okay to call off a day of work if you are in severe pain. It is okay to take a nap in the afternoon if you can barely keep your eye-lids open.
It is okay to stay in bed all day with the heating pad on your stomach while you endure a flare. Rest is part of the game. Rest is crucial for you to take, in order for you to heal and bounce back. You need to rest!
Do not feel guilty for resting with IBD
So the next time someone tries to make you feel guilty for taking the necessary steps to heal, just ignore the noise because that's all it is, pointless noise.
Do you ever feel guilty for resting while battling Crohn's? Share below, we love to hear your thoughts.
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