When traditions veer away from activities that make us feel grounded, safe and secure, into areas where we feel stressed out and overwhelmed, something is wrong. If you suffer from a chronic illness that is exacerbated by stress, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), taking a fresh look at traditions that are backfiring becomes essential.
The holiday season is a busy one, what with all the shopping, wrapping, card-sending, hosting, baking, cooking and socializing that goes on. It is important to recognize that if your body is not feeling well, you may not be able to do all of the things that you would like to or used to do. Making changes to accommodate your body’s needs will not be giving in to your IBS, but compensating for its presence in your life. Make a vow to yourself to do things differently this year so that you can find a balance between your health and the demands of the holidays.
