>Katie Regan, MBA, RDN
IBS can be an unpredictable condition that is impacted by multiple factors, including diet, stress, and anxiety. That said, you can be confident that healthy habits like following a Low FODMAP diet, exercising and relieving stress can help you to minimize and possibly prevent IBS symptoms. Just like you follow a Low FODMAP diet, low impact exercises are beneficial for managing IBS. Here, we’ll dive into some recommendations for exercise with IBS.
Yoga Can Help You
IBS can be aggravated by some relatively mild triggers, so you probably don’t want to bust into a full sprint when you're feeling like you’re beginning to experience symptoms. Yoga is a wonderfully low impact exercise that can help you to get in shape, relax, and soothe your internal organs. As you move through a range of poses, your body will begin to loosen and relax, this will help your body to reduce the chemicals that can signal your body to produce inflammation. Be sure to take deep breaths and short rest periods in between poses. Click here to learn more about Yoga and IBS.
Walking Is Great
Going for a walk is a great way to get your heart rate up without overly taxing your body. If you go for a moderately long walk you burn a lot of calories over time and release endorphins that will help you to feel healthier and centered in your day. It will also help you to keep you stress levels low. It is even better if you have access to some sort of nature walk. Studies have shown that being near nature helps to improve tranquility, and the surroundings will put you in a more relaxed state of mind.
Don’t Go Too Hard
Be aware of your body and what it can handle. Don’t push yourself too far past your limits because that could do more harm than good, and you will become discouraged from continuing to get any sort of exercise. Keeping things balanced should you your primary goal. This also means that instead of simply going whenever, you should probably follow a schedule that makes sense and doesn’t intrude on the rest of your work, or family life. This will help your body to be more prepared when it’s time to exert itself.
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