Relieving the Stress of Ulcerative Colitis Through Meditation

Having a disease like ulcerative colitis is stressful in itself. Dealing with the symptoms, having to change your lifestyle to accommodate your disease, and being limited in your activities can be challenging as well. There are medications that help deal with anxiety and stress but many of these medications effects don't last very long. Most people will build a tolerance to these drugs thus making them ineffective.

So how do you alleviate stress if medication doesn't help? One of the most popular methods being used today is meditation. The earliest evidence of meditation is found in the Hindu scriptures, called "tantras" dating as far back as 5,000 years ago. It is the central point of what ancient Hindu scriptures have recorded as, "you are what you think."

More and more people are looking for natural or alternative ways to alleviate the symptoms of their disease and to alleviate stress. Research has shown that there is a very strong connection between the mind and the body. Meditation physically has shown to speed up the healing process and strengthen the autoimmune system. It has also proven to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve airflow in the respiratory system, and aid in the relief of symptoms caused by digestive disorders such as ulcerative colitis.

Meditation not only reduces the symptoms of physical disorders but also aids in psychological and mental disorders. Some of the ailments that are relieved or reduced include a decrease in anxiety, a reduction in stress, a lessening of depression, increased self-esteem, diminished irritability, and it also helps one to manage chronic pain. Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common mental illness among those who have inflammatory bowel disease. Relieving this anxiety will help in managing your ulcerative colitis. Stress and anxiety both make you more aware of the spasms and cramps that happen in your colon during a flare up. You may also become more aware of muscle aches and stomach upset. These things are more bothersome and painful when you are fully aware of them.

Other ways to relieve stress is to change your lifestyle to accommodate your illness. If you have habits that trigger flare ups you should cut down on these or give them up altogether. Smoking and alcohol irritate the digestive tract. Nicotine, in some studies, has been shown to give those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease some rest in their symptoms but has also been found to be more harmful than beneficial. Getting plenty of sleep, drinking the amount of water that is recommended on a daily basis, and regular exercise are also important in maintaining periods of remission.