Meditation and yoga won’t cure our IBD, that’s not my point. But they can help us to live better lives with IBD, to be calmer, stronger, and more resilient. In my personal experience I can say that participating in a meditation and yoga program at least 30 minutes, four times a week helps me to soothe my mind, my gut, and my whole body. I have been able to decrease the amount of medication I take to help control my IBD, I work, I travel, and I live a full and fulfilling life. 

For me, there isn’t just one thing that helps me live well with IBD. As selfish as it might sound, living well for me means putting myself first. I need to eat well, get enough rest, make time for meditation and yoga, and know when to give in and give my body a rest. I’ve had to accept the fact that I just don’t seem to have as much energy today as I did 20 years ago, and I may not be able to push my body to its limits without paying a price. I have learned to listen to my body, hear what it is telling me, and honor myself. This isn’t always easy. It might mean missing out on an opportunity, canceling a meeting, a date, or even a trip. But, ultimately, I feel that I am living a good life and as surprising as it may sound I am actually a stronger and happier and more outgoing person because of having Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I now respect my body, appreciate the good days, and am strong enough to give in when my body tells me it needs rest and care. B.C. – before colitis – I took my body for granted and pushed it to its limits. It is the mindfulness that I’ve gained from my meditation, yoga, and Reiki sessions that has helped me to learn that those doctors I saw when I was 15 years old weren’t quite so far off the mark. My mind may not have caused my IBD but it can help me to live successfully with it.