10. Try yoga
Practising yoga regularly balances the body’s autonomic nervous system and research has shown it helps counteract the effects of stress and boosts the brain-gut connection. Yoga decreases IBS symptoms like gas and bloating and because it also increases mind-body coordination, it can relax and tone the muscles of the gut, lessening constipation and encouraging normal bowel movements. Stretching and twisting the stomach helps to relieve bloating and pain and enhances blood circulation, improving digestion and helping to address chemical imbalances in the gut.
One clinical study found that yoga could even potentially outperform conventional treatments – with participants reporting greatly reduced bowel symptoms, a lessening of IBS severity, and a decrease in their anxiety. Certain poses are particularly effective at treating symptoms like constipation, such as Gate Pose, Bow Pose, and Happy Baby Pose but there’s another yoga benefit too – it’s ideal for IBS sufferers, as you don’t need to jump around, so you minimise any intestinal aggravation.
Sadly, there’s still no single definitive cure for IBS and even conventional medicine can’t currently provide the answer, for many who are experiencing this condition. Despite this, research has shown that many natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments can provide promising results, relieving the severity of several of the most unpleasant symptoms of this condition. Introducing one, or a few of these, could be the key to getting flare ups under control – and in some cases, it could help to banish IBS completely.
As there are many factors that trigger IBS, you’ll probably need to adjust in multiple areas, tweaking diet, sleep, stress and exercise so that these elements work for your body and reduce symptoms. IBS is unpleasant, but it’s not impossible to manage – and the good news is there are several things you can do to improve your wellbeing that are simple, natural, and extremely inexpensive.
Also Read: 5 reasons why you should start doing yoga immediately
