10 Tips for Working Full-Time with IBS, Part 2

In the previous post, I discussed 5 tips for working full-time with IBS. I promised a total of 10 tips, so let’s take a look at the remaining 5. Starting with number 6:

Wake up early to accommodate symptoms

I know I’m not the only one who struggles to get into the office on time in the morning. Boy, aren’t mornings the worst? My symptoms were always ablaze and I was constantly a slave to the washroom, making it so hard to get dressed and ready to go.

So it is definitely imperative to wake up early enough to accommodate this. I remember sometimes waking up 3 hours before I had to leave my home. In some ways, it was the only way I could get to work on time.

Say: "I am expecting an important phone call."

This was a tip that a fellow Inflammatoryboweldisease.net advocate gave me. She said if you are at work, experiencing a flare, and know that at some point you will need to use the restroom; as a safety net say: "I am expecting an important phone call so I may need to step out if it comes in."

Basically, this offers you a way out to leave a meeting or conversation without much awkwardness. For example, if you are on a conference call, Zoom call, meeting one-on-one, you say this at the beginning. If the urge hits hard and you have to exit to use the washroom, you just say: "Excuse me, I have to take this call," and your client or co-workers will understand.

I thought this was brilliant!

Keep work at the office

We all know all too well that stress exacerbates IBS symptoms. Become very disciplined with leaving work problems at home. When you are done with your work hours, exhale and switch gears. Don’t bring issues from work home with you, or else your symptoms will surely get worse.

Make time for personal care

Make time for light exercise, socializing, spending time with family, being creative, reading, etc.  Our mental health and physical health benefit from all these things greatly and if you schedule a routine that includes personal time after a long workday your IBS symptoms will benefit from it.

Do what you love

Lastly, and I know this is cheesy but, try to work a career around the things you love. I am currently in the middle of starting a new venture and adding another avenue of income in a business market that I am passionate about. And you know what? I’m excited. I’m not stressed or completely dreading starting this new venture because it’s something I love. And this is so important for our overall health!

If you are hating your job, it will only worsen your health and IBS symptoms. So I encourage you to head to Pinterest and search "jobs from home," "creative jobs," "cooking jobs," "photography jobs," just anything you are interested in. Pinterest is where I found great sources for working from home on things I love. Give it a try! The more you love what you do, the less stress you will have and the more your IBS will thank you.

Any other tips you have for working full-time with IBS? Comment below and share. We love to hear from you!