IBS and Exercise,
It really can help.
Article by Kev
IBS and Exercise
It's widely known that regular exercise is beneficial for most people no matter what their age, sex or body type. Personally I've incorporated many different forms of physical exercise into my weekly routine for many years now, including running, gym, swimming and many other physical activities. I can feel and enjoy the benefits of keeping active and felt that it might be worth writing a little about it here on IBS-Life.com as I believe that exercise could really help some IBS sufferers. Most sufferers of IBS will benefit to a lesser or greater degree, with exercise. Even gentle exercise like Yoga or stretching can work the muscles of the bowel which can then help them to return to a pattern of normal contractions; which is beneficial to sufferers of constipation. It is generally agreed that stress and depression is a key trigger of irritable bowel symptoms, and exercise has been proven to improve general mood through the release of a chemical in the brain called endorphins. These act like a kind of natural painkiller; a must for serious IBS sufferers.
This also means that physically active people tend to feel better about themselves which in turn means that their stress levels can be lower. In fact, regular fitness workouts are an essential part of any stress management program. Keeping physically active can also prevent major illnesses such as heart disease and help keep the body healthy and working correctly. Exercise generally makes your body stronger. No matter what disease or disorder you might be suffering from, it is usually a good idea to be on a regular exercise program of some kind. Exercise helps boost your immune system, making diseases and disorders less likely to occur.
After regular exercise routines many people tend to find that they sleep better as well. Better quality sleep really helps the body heal and repair itself and you feel completely energized the following day too.
IBS and Exercise; get advice from a professional
Obviously, every individual is different and care should be taken before engaging in any kind of rigorous new exercise regime.
Your GP will be able to advise you about whether exercise is suitable for you and can suggest the correct form of exercise that would be most beneficial to your health. But as a general rule of thumb, it's normally recommended to aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day, at least five times a week. The exercise should be strenuous enough to increase both your heart rate and breathing rate. Walking briskly and walking up a hill are both examples of good exercise. Swimming is another really good way to exercise; ultimately though you choose what's best for you and your individual circumstances. I tend to do most of my workouts at a gym by following routines that last on average 30 minutes or more on each training day. Some days are purely cardio based on things like Treadmills, elliptical steppers, rowing machines etc and other days involve training with the weight resistance equipment and free weights. I also tend to go jogging with my dog Billy sometimes and I can assure that he keeps me very fit.... If in doubt as to whether you'd be able to do certain things and for advice on the best sort of activities you could try, I'd highly recommend speaking with a qualified health professional. They will always be able to advice you on what things you should and shouldn't do. Hiring a personal trainer or getting a gym membership are both excellent ways of getting motivated to exercise. Workout routines that are easy to follow can be made up for you and will help you achieve whatever goals you want to achieve , be it to help with your IBS, or training for other goals like strength gains and general fitness.
IBS and Exercise – Summary
A good Diet, regular exercise, mediation and general relaxation are all excellent tools that everyone can use to help heal themselves and to improve the quality of their lives.
Exercise generally makes your body stronger. So no matter what disease or disorder you might be suffering from, it is usually a good idea to be on a regular exercise program of some kind. If you suffer from IBS and exercise is something you're seriously considering to try out to help you, in the long term you'd benefit from adding some kind of active regime into your daily routine. Like I've mentioned above it doesn't have to be hours in a gym training like an Olympic athlete. Even regular walking at a fast comfortable pace daily for 30 minutes or so can help you.
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