Laura's Blog

The Power of Breathing for IBS Relief

The Power of Breathing for IBS Relief

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Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life? ~Mary Oliver

 

That quote from Mary Oliver really got me thinking. I often talk to my clients about the importance of breathing but I’m not always sure if they fully understand the importance of it.

 

For a long time I didn’t either. I would do a short meditation and take quick deep breaths if I felt stress but I really wasn’t consciously aware of how I was breathing. It was actually through the process of being in pain that I became aware of the lack [...]

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Body Language, Superheroes, and IBS

Body Language, Superheroes, and IBS


I just watched the Amy Cuddy, social psychologist and assistant professor at Harvard University, video on body language.

 

She talked about body language and how it affects our entire lives.

 

It got me thinking about how body language affects our reaction to discomfort.

 

She discusses successful people having higher levels of testosterone and success where as low power poses increases our cortisol levels, which is our stress hormone. So staying in a low power poses can in essence increase your stress level, which in turn decreases your sense of confidence.

 

It got me thinking about, you, my community. How do you hold yourself [...]

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Creating A Healthy Life With IBS

Creating A Healthy Life With IBS

How much time every day do you focus on your IBS?

 

Are you thinking about it all the time?

 

I know it’s hard not to, with your stomach acting all kinds of crazy and worrying if you’ll make it through the next meeting for class.

 

But what we focus on expands.

 

I know I’m not saying this is all in your mind and your creating yourself.

 

But I am saying placing your focus somewhere else can help you get through that next hour.

 

When you begin to worry about your symptoms move your thoughts to another place your body feels good: your pinky or even [...]

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How To Live Well With IBS

How To Live Well With IBS

I am well.

 

I heard this from Wayne Dwyer at 3 am on a night when I had turned on the TV because sleep just wasn’t happening.

 

Three simple words yet so powerful.

 

For people struggling with IBS the words “ I am well” don’t often cross your mind. But they should.

 

You see if you focus on “I am well” you take your attention off what is wrong with you.

 

Simple yet so hard.

 

Why?

 

Because were so used to seeing what’s wrong with our body and trying to fix it.

 

And no matter how hard we try we can’t control our body.

 

But we can control [...]

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The Secret to Feeling Good

The Secret to Feeling Good

 

 

It seems that everyone is looking to find something to make them feel good.

 

This came to mind when I heard how many people are reading 50 Shades of Gray. I’m not against people reading 50 Shades of Gray but it seems like people are looking for something make themselves feel good and take them away from what’s in front of them.

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Are You Giving Up or Giving In?

Are You Giving Up or Giving In?

We all have our share of challenges over the course of our lives. What I have learned from my clients that successfully transition themselves in moments of challenge is that they understand giving in.

 

I used to think I had to give up and giving in were the same thing.

 

Then I realized that I don’t have to give up to give in. It’s actually the complete opposite

 

You need to give in to heal a wound, accept a situation, or make a big change in your life.

 

Giving in doesn’t mean compromising your values, staying in bed depressed, or [...]

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How to Ask For Help

How to Ask For Help

How much do you ask for help from others? If you’re anything like I used to be your answer may be never.

 

I spent too many years doing everything myself. Taking care of my basic needs, my emotions, and stressful situations on my own. Asking for help was not something I was accustomed to doing. In fact I avoided any level of help from others because that meant vulnerability.

 

But avoiding that vulnerability never made me feel good. But that’s not why I avoided it; I avoided it because it felt safe. I was free from judgment, shame, or whatever negative [...]

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4 Easy Ways to End Pressure and Get IBS Relief

4 Easy Ways to End Pressure and Get IBS Relief

How many times have you heard people say they perform best under pressure?  In our society the idea that applying pressure to a situation will reap the best results is very prevalent. It’s such a part of our psyche that we do it subconsciously. For many of us it’s a part of life, basically second nature.

 

For most people with IBS when the pressure increases so does the IBS symptoms. For years I put tons of pressure on myself without noticing how intensely it was affecting my digestive problems.

 

I just thought pressure was a natural part of life.

 

I’m not here [...]

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Understanding Your IBS Pain

Understanding Your IBS Pain

When I first became a coach I worked with people who were stressed about their career. When I coach people who are dealing with a lot of stress I ask them to go into their bodies and discuss all of their life stresses.

 

I simply told them for one week try stopping once a day and how it feels in your body. Without fail, they all came back to the next session with the realization that they are holding tension, for many in their stomach.

 

For people with IBS, they are very aware that there is a problem [...]

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Are You Struggling With IBS?

Are You Struggling With IBS?

I’ve been there too. I spent many years living with IBS andable… it’s hard to try new things when you are fearful about having a flare-up. But you don’t have to limit your life, there is something you can do about it.

 

In my free e-book, “IBS Manifesto: Creating Less Stress and More Freedom While Living With IBS “, I discuss 5 tools to help you start living a more pleasurable life again. It’s not about a quick fix; it’s a lifestyle change.

 

No it’s not all in your head, IBS is a disease.

 

However, it is affected by the [...]

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