Book review: ‘Gut’ by Giulia Enders

So I just recently finished reading this book and I just had to share it all with you. ‘Gut’ by Giulia Enders has become my new gut health bible and this is why:

Even though it is written by a scientist there is very little scientific/medical jargon used. But if there are complex terms or fancy medical names for stuff then Enders is good in explaining them in simple, easy to understand language. The book was actually first published in Enders’ mother tongue, German, but I think the English translation comes across as effortless.

The book is really easy to read. There are no long chapters where paragraphs can last for a whole page or sentences that stretch on for ages. Enders takes you through your digestive system part by part, starting with the mouth and ending with…the rear end, explaining how it all works. The book is split into digestible (pun intended) sections so you can just pick it up and read as much or as little as you like. The text is also nicely broken up with quirky little illustrations of our insides.

Great use of metaphor and illustrations help to make complex scientific subjects understandable. As a former student of literature I fully appreciate a good metaphor to describe something and the illustrations are highly amusing. It enables you to almost picture your gut and I can tell you it looks way better than it does on a colonoscopy camera! My personal favourite illustration is of the different bacteria in your gut. 

It’s funny! Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in worrying about our gut health that we take things much too seriously. I actually found myself giggling out loud reading some parts (sorry to my fellow train commuters).

It’s open and honest about the bad stuff! Covering topics like constipation, vomiting and bad breath Enders isn’t afraid to talk about anything. There’s even a whole section all about poo!! It gives you practical advice and guidance on the minefield of the organs that make up our gut. My top tip that I’ve taken from my reading is the best toilet sitting position for promoting problem free pooing, there’s even some helpful drawings illustrating the technique.

Reading this book helps you understand the wider picture. I’ve always seen my digestive system as lots of separate parts that link up but the point Enders is trying to get across is that everything is connected. Throughout the book she emphasises how gut health is related to your general health from gut bacteria affecting your mood to your brain telling your rear end when to let go and when to keep locked up. The book supports my belief that we should be using our gut physiology to improve our lives for the better.

Overall this book has been well worth reading and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to find out more about their gut. It’s definitely given me some stuff to go off and research further whilst clarifying some things I wasn’t 100% sure of. Whether you have IBS or not it’s an interesting read that gives you plenty of food for thought. If any of you have already read this then let me know. I’d love to discuss all the things I learnt and see what others got out of it. Or do you have any other recommended reads similar to this? I’m looking for a new book to dig into to!!

I’m a warrior not a worrier

After letting my anxiety get the better of me recently I’ve decided it’s time to take back control, stop being a worrier and become a warrior!

I’ve recently had to give up job to focus on my health, it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and I’m still processing it all but I know it was the right thing for me. The hour-long commute was making me ill, I’d arrive at work exhausted before the day had even started. I wasn’t sleeping and the stress was building up until I almost snapped at a colleague. The team I work with are fantastic and my manager has always been so supportive of me and my needs, both professional and personal. I knew that if I continued to push myself to go to work I would make things worse and they could be on the receiving end of it. It wasn’t worth it for them or me so I made the tough decision to hand in my notice.

The whole situation was obviously very stressful and upsetting. It made my anxiety go into overdrive which in turn set off my IBS. I’ve only just recovered from a virus so my body is already very achy and fatigued and a 5 day flare-up was the last thing I needed. For the first time in almost 9 months I’ve had to use my walking stick for extra support when getting around. I always feel embarrassed when using it but I know that without it I would struggle (especially standing on a cramped rush hour train). Several trips to the toilet before even leaving the house and severe nausea have made the mornings sheer hell but I’ve fought through it.

After a visit to my counsellor and a full-body aromatherapy massage last night my body is finally starting to relax. The trips to the toilet have lessened and my anxiety seems to have eased slightly. I’m still not sleeping well but I’m hoping that will get better in time. During these last few weeks I’ve realised that throughout my whole IBS journey I have come really far. My partner is always saying how proud he is of me for coping with my condition and surviving each day. It wasn’t until I gave up my job and sat down to really think about what was the right thing for me right now that I realised…I am an IBS warrior!

Anyone with IBS will tell you how everyday can be a struggle. For those that are still learning to control their symptoms it’s a constant uphill battle. We shouldn’t be ashamed of asking for help or needing to take time to breathe because if we didn’t the hill would only get steeper and the battle would be harder. It may seem like there is no end to the fighting but know this… although you may not win every battle, you WILL win the war! People with IBS, or any chronic health condition, are strong and brave individuals. They are tirelessly working to better themselves and their health so that they can survive each day with a smile on their face. I for one think anyone living with a chronic health condition deserves a medal and a massive hug. Throughout my IBS journey I have met so many brave and strong people that are true inspirations to me. Our gut health community is so supportive and caring of each other that I feel overwhelmed with pride that our army of IBS warriors is ready to tackle anything that our bodies throw at us. It may sound cheesy but we really are stronger together! My hope is that one day we will conquer our IBS and finally be able to stop fighting. On that day we can all look back and see how far we have come, how brave we have been and how strong we are now.

In the meantime, we continue to solider on. I’m not saying it’ll be easy and I don’t know how long it will take but I feel that by sticking together and raising awareness of IBS we can win each fight. So from now on I won’t see myself as a worrier but as a warrior capable of doing anything if I put my mind to it! I’m going to take some time out to focus on me and what I need to be happy and healthy, then when I feel ready hopefully go back to work doing something that gives me that sense of worth. We all deserve to be happy and I for one won’t let my IBS get in the way of that.

SO until next time…stay happy, stay healthy and remember it’s NOT JUST IBS!

L x

Mood boost

Having a long term health condition like IBS can make you feel pretty low sometimes. During flare-ups I always find that my mood dips and I begin to think a lot more negatively. It’s hard to think positively when you’re tired and in pain. My partner is always trying to find new ways to cheer me up when I’m down. From motivational messages or just giving me a hug when I need it, he’s pretty good at dealing with me when I’m in a funk. But recently I’ve realised I can’t always rely solely on him to give me a boost – sometimes I have to go it alone! So I started thinking of all the ways I could boost my mood on my own.

Vitamin D – lack of it is well known to contribute to depression and low moods so how do we get enough without relying on popping the pills? Sunshine is a great source of loads of vitamins and the warmth of the rays on your face can really make you feel that little bit brighter. Another great source of vitamin D is certain foods but it’s hard for veggies or those with a diary intolerance to rely on food solely as things like tuna, milk, yoghurt, cheese, liver and eggs are high in vitamin D.

Fresh air – On my lunch break from work I like to sit outside on a bench for 20 minutes or go for a walk around the block just to get some fresh air. It helps clear my head and gives me a boost for tackling the afternoon back in the office. If you are unable to get outside at all then even opening a window and feeling the breeze can be helpful.

Escape reality – I am a strong advocate for escaping reality on a daily basis. I practice mindfulness to help me relax after a long or stressful day but this doesn’t always mean sitting in a dark room emptying my head of all thoughts. I find activities like reading a book or watching a feel good film can improve my mood. I try to focus completely on the plot and the characters so I can completely forget the outside world. Although I should note this is not a long term solution…don’t be like Alice and get lost in Wonderland. A little bit of escaping is healthy but don’t let fantasy take over your reality!

Motivational music – Nothing more uplifting that a good song or too. I’ve actually made a playlist on my Spotify for exactly those low moments. From Paolo Nutini to Biffy Clyro it is guaranteed to make me feel better! I even find singing along is great stress relief (although only if no one is around).

Break it down – When you are feeling low the days always seem to drag by and you find yourself constantly clock-watching. I’ve found that breaking the day into more manageable chunks helps the time go by faster. Whether it’s hourly or by activity I try to only focus on what I’m doing for a certain amount of time instead of the day as a whole. Try covering your clock or taking off your watch to avoid obsessing over the time. This also helps me on a night when I find myself unable to sleep, it’s hard to clock watch with no clock!

Exercise – It’s fairly well documented that exercising releases feel-good hormones like endorphins that help the body relax. But for some people with IBS certain types of exercise can be a trigger. Personally I struggle with high-impact or high-intensity workouts so no Zumba classes or Bootcamp sessions for me. Instead I get my rush of endorphins through the more gentle exercise like yoga, Pilates and swimming. I’m also a strong believer in dancing like nobody is watching – when I’ve had a particularly stressful day I like to put on some awful 90’s pop and dance crazily until I’ve shaken off all the anxiety and stresses of the day. If this isn’t really your style then a simple walk is a good way to get the heart pumping and the endorphins flowing.

Water works – Whether it’s a hot shower on a morning or a long soak in a bubble bath on a night I always find that water is an instant mood boost. Showers are great for waking the body up and washing away the ‘dirt’ whereas a bath is perfect for resting and relaxing the body. I’ve even been known to add some lovely scented candles to help calm my senses and chill me out.

Socialise – Isolating yourself when you are down is the worst thing, it can end up making you feel worse for longer! Trying meeting up with a friend for a drink or a walk. Even if you’re not up to leaving the house then just try calling or skyping a friend for a catch up. Talking can prove a great distraction from feeling low and helps you know that you are not alone!

Avoid alcohol – harsh but true. Alcohol is a natural depressant, you may feel great after a few glasses of wine or a pint but after that initial buzz wears off it can actually do more harm than good. I’m not saying stay sober forever but maybe just until you’re feeling better it may be a good idea to give that G&T a miss.

Different things work for different people but the suggestions above may be a good place to start. Whatever you do to boost your mood, whether it be a short term fix or a long-term lifestyle change, we all deserve to feel happier and healthier. What is your go to mood boosting solution? How do you stay positive during a flare-up? Let me know!!

SO until next time…stay happy, stay healthy and remember it’s NOT JUST IBS!

L x