Low Impact activities for people with Crohn’s

 One of the most common symptoms with Crohn's and IBD is fatigue. Life can get exceeding boring when fatigue hits and there is only so many movies and to shows you can watch before your eyes turn square. Engaging in low-impact activities can be beneficial for people with Crohn's disease. These activities can help aleviate boredom, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. Whether you have the energy to go outdoors or can only move from your bed to the couch; here are 20 low-impact activities for you to try:

Physical Activities:

1. Walking or Hiking: Plan a route on plotaroute.com you can see how long your walk is and decide how far you wish to go. I like making loops so I don't have to walk back on myself too often.

2. Yoga: Improve flexibility relive some stress. I like this bed time practise by Yoga with Kassandra

3. Tai Chi: A low-impact, meditative movement. There are videos available on the site NHS or my favourite to visit

4. Swimming: Taking a class or swimming laps once a week is a great way to stay active without too much stress on joints. If swimming is not your thing try an aqua aerobics class as an alternative

5. Stationary cycling: I bought a bike to destress during exams. Now it is my coat rack but occasionally I do pull it out whilst watching TV.

6. Pilates: Focuses on strength, flexibility, and posture improvement. My joints are glad I started

7. Stretching: Aid flexibility and helps prevent muscle stiffness. You can work on one part of your body at a time, seated or standing.

8. Resistance band exercises: Light strength training without heavy weights.

Mind-Body Activities:

9. Guided Meditation: Helps reduce stress and anxiety. Headspace has been my go to since uni

10. Deep breathing exercises: Breathe into the belly through your nose and out through your mouth. 5 seconds in 5 out.

11. Guided imagery: Uses mental visualization to promote relaxation and healing.

12. Progressive Muscle relaxation: Focus on one part of your body at a time to relax. You can follow along to this

Creative Activities:

13. Drawing or coloring: Use a colour by number book or your imagination. Pick an art style and try to recreate it

14. Writing or journaling: Poems, feelings, first word that come to mind. You can use my guided journaling prompts here to help.

15. Crafting: Create the perfect paper plane or try making some oragami frogs.

16. Knitting or Crocheting: Added benefit of creating something you can wear or gift or frame

Outdoor Activities:

17. Nature walks: Grab a book on plants or birds from your library and see what you can find on walks

18. Picnicking: A change of scenery can be beneficial. Find a bench or grab a chair and enjoy some sun (hopefully)

19. Gardening: Or just planting. I am experimenting with Cammomile tea. Hopefully they survive

Social Activities:

20. Board games or puzzles: Learning how to play a new board game like Baduk or invent a puzzle for your friend and family to try out.

Remember, it's important to listen to your body before starting any new activity. You can start these activities and return to them on low energy days. For some activities you can find seated versions of them online if you don't have enough energy to stand up.

Staying active has helped me with my mental health. I hope some of these inspire and help you too.