Are you really Listening to your body
Is your body screaming at you? Pain, exhaustion, stress, anxiety and mental overwhelm. I know mine was, but for a long time, I wasn’t really listening. I was consumed by the pain, the unknown, and the why.
But now as soon as the start of a flare-up comes on, I listen, maybe not straight away, but I’m getting better at catching it quicker.
Make some gentle and easy changes
Cancel Plans
There is nothing more important than your own Self-Care right now.
Commit to Making Self-Care a habit
Self-Care is not a luxury, it’s your lifeline.
Hydrate
Swap out tea and coffee for lemon water or herbal tea, smoothie soups and isotonic drinks(Not fizzy).
Cut out food you know can trigger or worsen a flare-up
Everyone is different, and it takes time, trial and error to figure out what your body can and cannot tolerate, either day to day or in a flare-up.
When I’m feeling in remission I can eat pretty much everything in moderation. When I’m in a flare Its easier to say what I can have, although my main triggers are sugar, alcohol, dairy, gluten, spices and corn.
I can have chicken, bananas, almond/oat milk, soups(with no spice) Smoothies(with no sugar), and eggs.
I like to eat slowly and only when I’m hungry during a flare-up. Listen to your body.
Take You Medication
Make sure you a religiously taking any prescription medication or supplements you know can help with a flare up. At the moment, I am on Octasa 800 for maintenance, Having spoken with healthcare practitioners, I know when I need to up my dose. Speak with a healthcare practitioner to ensure you are receiving the correct treatments and care. Don’t be afraid to explore any and every possible alternative therapy out there. Find out what works for you. What nourishes your body.
Regulate your nervous system
If you listen to your body, you may hear whispers, you may not. Sometimes I hear whispers and sometimes I hear screams (extreme pain). The whispers are usually telling me to relax, to sit down, to breathe, to get out in nature, to move my body, to journal, to live in the moment, to rest without guilt.
Here are some things I practice to help me do this:
Eft Tapping – A wonderful tool for relieving stress, anxiety and overwhelm, a practice that brings awareness back into the body.
Journaling – Journaling is an act of self-love and can bring many benefits and rewards. Journaling can help you understand your thoughts and process them in a more positive way. Journaling is self- care, self-love and self-development all rolled into one.
Guided meditations
Meditation is focussing ones awareness and attention on the present moment. You can find loads of meditation online.
Deep Breathing
Your breath is your anchor. It’s always with you, and it’s one of the fastest ways to signal safety to your nervous system.
Manage stress and anxiety
Stress is a natural part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on your nervous system. The first step is awareness. Notice your triggers, listen to your body and begin to explore how you can respond with care instead of reacting on autopilot. Small, intentional daily practices can help lower your baseline stress level and build emotional resilience over time.
Practice what I preach!
I write because I love to write and I learn by writing things in my own words. I write all things Self-Care to help myself as much as to help others. Writing helps me to relax and keeps my thoughts on positive things.
I have created:
The 10 Commandments of Self-Care
Why Listen to your body?
When you stop and listen to your body, you may be surprised with what it is trying to tell you, mostly, it will be telling you to slow down, breathe, live in the moment. If your body is screaming, you probably need to start incorporating some of the Self-Care habits discussed.
Living with colitis isn’t easy — it’s messy, unpredictable, and often painfully humbling. But learning to listen to your body is one of the greatest acts of self-respect you can give yourself. Every small choice you make, every moment you slow down, hydrate, breathe, rest, or simply say “not today”, is you choosing healing over hustle.
Your body isn’t your enemy. It’s your messenger. And the more you honour its whispers, the less it has to scream. Be patient with yourself, be curious, and let self-care become the habit that supports you through the toughest days and the calmest ones too. You deserve a life that feels gentle, spacious, and aligned with what your body truly needs.