Overview
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be social. By Spending of time with friends is one of my most favorite hobbies. When I was a kid, my mom even told me I had “the fastest suitcase in town”, which meant I loved sleeping with friends.
However, after I was diagnosed with cervical colitis, I learned that socializing with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or any chronic condition, has its challenges.
The unpredictable nature of IBD can make it difficult to implement plans. At the top, it brings down the required symptoms that may require public adaptation.
However, reliable research shows that staying connected with friends and community is important for the well-being of everyone, not just me.
Instead of being lonely with IBD, consider these six points.
1- Suggest An Activity
Suggest an event, dinner, or meeting place. The choice of location or activity itself gives you peace of mind in which you can participate.
2- Research The Menu In Advance
If you are attending a restaurant dinner, I encourage you to research the menu in advance. Doing so will give you plenty of time to find food that you can eat, or think about the modifications you need to make.
I can’t tell you what I’m eating knowing how much social unrest I’ve avoided by entering the restaurant.
3- Give Yourself Grace
Socialization is exhausting, and sometimes health doesn’t help as much as we would like. Bless yourself when you visit the social scene with IBD.
When I hit my signs like a brick, I tied myself up and put my hand on the doorbell. At the time I knew I wasn’t going out that day and I needed to rest.
4- Listen To Your Body
Most of the time, your body will tell you how collective it is.
Do you feel like being sociable? Do you need to limit your time with friends to 1 or 2 hours? Do you need time to relax?
Give your body what it needs and know that it is doing what is necessary for your health.
5- Feel Comfortable
This may sound easy, but physical comfort can go a long way. When you plan to spend time with friends or family, dress as casually as possible.
Of course, wear these fabulous outfits that you had no reason to quarantine! But also remember to feel good in your body.
When you feel comfortable, socialization feels so easy.
6- Create A Short Script For What You Want To Share
“How are you?” The simple question is not so easy to answer when you have a situation.
Instead of just hanging it, I recommend preparing a one or two sentence response ahead of time. That way, you don’t leave your medical history to strangers or leave your loved ones in the dark.
I have personally done both, anxious – and I can say from experience that it is always helpful to know what you want to say ahead of time.