Ulcerative colitis is a challenging condition as the symptoms can be overwhelming, affecting one’s daily life. That said, one can incorporate a few simple lifestyle changes to help reduce flare-ups of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Following a diet with soothing foods and reducing stress can help combat the condition and alleviate the associated discomfort. This article lists a few lifestyle changes to manage the condition.

1. Find healthy ways to deal with stress
Managing stress is one of the key lifestyle changes that can help reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms. Research has suggested a strong connection between mental and gut health, which means stress can adversely affect gut health and impact immunity. People with this condition are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than others. One can manage stress by taking up:

• Meditation
  Progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic system and help lower heart rate, slow down breathing, reduce blood pressure, and ease anxiety and pain.
• Exercise
  Yoga or Tai Chi can help promote relaxation and benefit the digestive system, improving overall health and well-being.
• Therapy sessions
  One can explore cognitive behavioral therapy sessions to cope with the stress and pain associated with ulcerative colitis flare-ups.

2. Eat right
One should include foods that help ease the symptoms in their daily diet. Along with that, one must avoid processed foods that can trigger frequent flare-ups or worsen the existing symptoms. An effective tip is to maintain a food journal and record the foods consumed and the symptoms experienced. This can help an individual identify trigger foods and eliminate them from their diet. Here are a few dietary tips for ulcerative colitis patients:

• Include probiotics in the diet
  Probiotics and other natural treatments are also among the effective lifestyle changes that help reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms. Probiotics improve gut health by increasing healthy bacteria, which helps strengthen the immune system. One can opt for fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha, and kimchi in healthy quantities.
• Drink plenty of water
  One should increase their intake of water to deal with the symptoms of this condition. Choosing electrolyte water during flare-ups can also help.
• Avoid gluten and dairy
  Avoiding dairy and foods with gluten is among the most effective lifestyle changes to reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms.
• Cut down on fiber intake
  High-fiber foods may worsen symptoms during a flare-up, so one should temporarily switch to a low-residue or low-fiber diet to help improve ulcerative colitis symptoms.
• Eat smaller meals
  One should eat smaller, more frequent wholesome meals rather than having two or three large meals. This reduces the pressure on the digestive system and gives the bowels time to digest the food, which may help reduce the symptoms.

These small changes can go a long way in keeping the digestive system healthy and happy.