The Benefit of Exercise

One of the most important things an IBS sufferer can do is to get some regular exercise.

Exercise is vital to the IBS sufferer for a number of reasons but mainly because exercise increases your body strength, boosts your immune system, and helps to reduce infection risk, ultimately making it less likely that other illnesses will occur.

Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress. Many researchers think that IBS is a psychological condition brought on by excess stress in your life (see our Stress Page). Stress has not been proven to cause IBS; but it certainly exacerbates the situation. Clearly therefore, anyone with IBS should do as much as possible to reduce their stress levels and exercising is one of the best ways to achieve this goal.

Obviously this is often easier said than done as suffering from IBS can often leave you feeling tired.

When you find it hard to get going you must find a way to overcome this feeling and get motivated. One good way is go along with a friend and work out with them. If you have a favourite sport, you might want to try that instead of joining a gym as many people end up paying for a gym subscription and never going. So whatever it takes, you have to find some motivation to get moving, even when it seems like it is the last thing that you want to do.

If you think you want to join the gym, talk to an instructor as they will be able to set a program for you which will suit your ability. You should take care not to overdo it or you may become discouraged, find it all a real chore and eventually give up. If you can make it fun or you find some of the exercises is enjoyable that’s great, but remember to limit your time until your body is adjusted to your new level of exercise, then you can begin to increase your effort. If you don’t like the machines, treadmill, bikes or rotary, you can always enrol in one of the many different dance or aerobic classes that can offer you a great workout. Do what you think is fun and you will be more likely to stick with it.

One thing you might want to consider when it comes to exercise to help with IBS is to take up something like yoga or Pilates. Yoga and Pilates are stretching and muscle toning exercise programs that also has one really great side effect. It is excellent at reducing stress. Episodes of stress are known to make the symptoms of IBS much worse. If you can combine your exercise and your stress management into one activity, you are going to be feeling better quickly, at least mentally. Concentrate on learning the deep breathing exercises and use them any time that you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or overly excited.

One thing is for sure, people who exercise regularly report a feeling of well-being after their sessions.

This happens becasue the brain releases endorphins. Endorphins are natural painkillers and antidepressants so anyone in physical or mental pain will benefit from their release. Exercise isn’t only good for you; it makes you feel good as well!

Exercise will not be an instant cure for all of your symptoms. You have to keep at it to see results, though the stress management that comes with exercise will help you almost immediately. You will begin to look and feel better as time goes by, and you will notice that your symptoms will begin to happen less often.