When Crohn's Has You Down

by Susan Johnson (Oldlace), Crohn's Disease Support

All of us have those days when we just don't feel like doing anything.  Your tired of being sick and sick of being tired. Here are a few tips of how to make those days go by faster and maybe lift your spirits a little.

Plan your day to do little projects.  If you just get a couple of small things done you will be amazed how much better you will feel about yourself.  Even if it is something as little as getting out of bed and getting dressed, making the bed.

Do you have a hobby??  Try it.  I crochet when I don't feel well and I truly enjoy it.  You would be amazed how much creating can lift your spirits when you are really feeling down.

Do you like the internet??  Surf the internet for a new Crohn's Disease page or visit one you have not been to for awhile.  Sign some guestbooks.  This will get a lot off your chest and is a great way to relieve stress.

Read some stories others with Crohn's Disease have written.  It helps more than you could ever realize to know that you are not the only one that feels that way.

Call a friend.  I know.... you don't want to talk to anyone you just want to lay there and be left alone, but force yourself to call a friend, someone who understands and cares.  Before you know it you may be laughing and feeling a whole lot better.

These are time when things seem to build up and get ahead of you and it feels like you will never get caught up. Remember do a little at a time.  So what if you don't get the house cleaned today, it will be there tomorrow (unless you have dust fairies LOL). Do a little, vacuum the living room.  There you got something done.  Now don't you feel better?

Don't give up and let the world go by you, and I know there are some times that it feels that way.  Things will get better.  So take the time you need to rest and recuperate!!  You deserve it.  Snuggle up on the couch with a good book.  Lay down and watch a movie (although I can't do this I always fall asleep *grin*).

Remember you are going to have days, maybe a few in a row where you just don't feel well, so try these little things to help make those days shorter and easier to handle.

If you find these days coming more and more often don't be afraid to ask for help.  Talking to a therapist can be very helpful.  There are some excellent medications out there to help.  Depression is a common side effect of Crohn's Disease and nothing to be ashamed of but something to be dealt with and handled.  If you can't do it yourself, then let someone help you.

Recommended Books:
The IBD Remission Diet by Jini Patel Thompson
Eating Right for a Bad Gut: The Complete Nutritional Guide to Ileitis, Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease by James Scala, M.D.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle : Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gloria Gottschall
Controlling Crohn's Disease : The Natural Way by Virginia Harper, Tom Monte

© 2000 Susan Johnson

Susan Johnson (aka Oldlace) is the founder of Crohn's Disease Support by Oldlace, her web page dedicated to helping people with Crohn's, and editor of the Crohn's Support section at Suite101.com.   Visit and meet many people who have been through it all and can offer help and encouragement.  Visit her site at http://oldlaces-place.healingwell.com

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