Managing ulcerative colitis (UC) can feel like a full-time job. It takes time and energy to keep up with appointments, make lifestyle adjustments, and otherwise adjust to living with a chronic illness. Sometimes it’s exhausting.

I was diagnosed with UC at 21 years old. It took a long time to figure out what works best in terms of managing the condition.

The following tools have helped me immensely on my health journey, but it’s important to remember that we’re all unique. What works for one person may not work for another, and that is so OK.

I call this the “medical cocktail” — the ingredients that go in your cocktail make it taste good to you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll have the same experience and vice versa. Considering more options can help you find what mix is your perfect match!

很容易专注于您的身体，而忘记UC也会影响您的心理健康。管理慢性病可能是压倒性的。有时您可能会感到焦虑或抑郁症。

寻找专门从事慢性病的治疗师或认证的心态教练可以帮助您浏览UC的非物理方面。

治疗将为您提供管理压力和重新构想负面想法的工具。这也是一个安全的悲伤空间

Having trouble finding a therapist?心理健康匹配是一个很棒的免费资源，可以提供帮助。

当您生活在慢性病时，社区就是一切。UC可能会孤立，可能没有人理解您正在经历的事情。

在艰难时期和美好时光中找到一个您觉得和听到的社区。社区成员会为您赢得胜利而为您带来胜利，而其他人可能会认为无关紧要。在管理您的心理健康方面，社区是一种无价的工具。

Where do you find community? Try following hashtags on Instagram like #ulcerativecolitiswarrior or #spooniefamily. Start following accounts of fellow chronically ill folks who inspire you, lift you up, or have similar conditions and stories.

I’ve made many of my closest friends and connections on Instagram. I know our parents taught us to not talk to strangers on the internet, but in this case, it pays off in a very positive way!

Stress can be a big trigger when it comes to living with UC. In fact, it’s one of my biggest triggers. Any major move or life change has come with increased symptoms, no matter how diligent I am with my medication regime and diet.

Healthy coping tools for stress management that have worked for me include:

  • meditation
  • 呼吸
  • yoga
  • creating a morning routine
  • practicing sleep hygiene
  • spending time alone every day
  • starting a gratitude journal

Some free resources I’d recommend to get started are:

I truly believe Western and Eastern medicines pair beautifully together. It doesn’t always have to be one or the other.

I love my traditional gastroenterologist (and it’s so important to have one on your care team). But I couldn’t navigate this journey without a naturopathic doctor on my side as well.

根据我的经验，我发现自然疗法的医生花更多的时间为我寻找答案并找到治疗我的UC的解决方案。

A quick Google search can typically find naturopathic doctors in your area. If a naturopathic doctor isn’t accessible to you, no worries!

管理UC会感到压倒性。但是有一些工具可以提供帮助。

Between all of these resources, tools, and points of focus, managing my UC has become a bit easier, even on the hardest of days.

Natalie Kelley, the founder ofPlenty and Well, is a chronic illness mindset and lifestyle coach, and the host of the Plenty and Well Podcast based near Seattle, Washington. After years of symptoms, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017 at 21 years old. She started her blog and brand a few years prior to share about health and wellness. After her diagnosis, she changed paths to discuss life with a chronic illness and provide support for others. After a life-altering flare-up in 2018 and a hospital stay, Natalie realized her purpose ran deeper than just sharing wisdom on social media. She obtained her holistic health coaching certification which led her to where she is now. She offers women with chronic illnesses personal coaching as well as her group program, The Path to Empowered Acceptance, which helps individuals find acceptance, confidence, and joy on their health journeys.