Beyond IBD: transcending chronic illness

Journaling by Rebecca

Two decades of scientific research has demonstrated the physical and psychological benefits of writing about our troubles.

Patients with serious chronic illnesses such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, cancer and HIV, when asked to write about their most stressful and emotional experiences, reported the following benefits:

• improved immune function;
• reduced blood pressure;
• improved lung and liver function;
• reduced pain;
• fewer days in hospital; and
• improved mood. (see note 1)

The idea of delving into your emotions, and exposing them on paper, may make you feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. Although a journal exploring your thoughts and feelings will give the greatest benefits, there are other types of diaries which can help you manage your Crohn’s or colitis.

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Last week I talked about creating the right frame of mind to start a new behaviour or change an old one. Hopefully you’ve moved past the first hurdle, getting started. But now you need to overcome those day-to-day resistances in order to turn your new behaviour into a habit. Read the rest of this entry »

Are there things that you know you could be doing to look after yourself and your health, but you just can’t muster the motivation to start? Or you have started but can’t stick with it?It could be an exercise program, or improving your diet, or establishing better sleep patterns, or practising relaxation techniques such as meditation. The plethora of diet and exercise programs and self-help books assure us that we are not alone in our struggle.

And having IBD (or any chronic illness) makes it even harder. We must contend with fatigue, nausea, pain and diarrhea (and more), and with occasional feelings of hopelessness and depression. There are plenty of completely reasonable excuses available: “I’m too tired to do anything” or “I’m sick all the time anyway so why not have that chocolate / coffee / wine, even though I know it will make me feel worse”.

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