Just Your Average Day with IBD

I make time for healthy meals, stress management, work, and self-care.

Ever wonder what a full day looks like for others who live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Here’s a peek into a typical day with BezzyIBD guide Alexa Federico.

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Eat breakfast and take supplements

I wake up hungry and looking forward to breakfast every day. I always start with a protein-focused breakfast. This starts my day with a stable blood sugar level, which is important for living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. My go-to breakfast lately consists of eggs, bacon, fruit, and a homemade gluten-free bagel, plus coffee. I take supplements with my breakfast that help me maintain optimal health with IBD.

Make my bed and tidy up

I make my bed every morning. This makes me feel productive and is pleasing to the eye compared with a messy bed, which feels chaotic to me.

Plus, I have a hard time focusing on my work when my space is cluttered — even if the mess is in a different room! Often, I will clean up other spaces, like my kitchen or office area, before getting into my work for the day so I’m not distracted.

Do an at-home workout

I work out three to five times a week using an online program in the comfort of my home. Not only do I get a good sweat in and feel good putting my muscles to work, but I feel more energized throughout my day after I have moved my body.

Using an online program allows me the flexibility to choose a shorter or longer workout, as well as the degree of intensity, according to my energy level that day. Until I found a program that fit my goals and lifestyle, I struggled to exercise consistently, but now I enjoy it.

Work from home

I work from home as a functional nutritionist. My clients are people with IBD or other gut and autoimmune issues. I love working with people I can relate to. It’s so fulfilling. I also write, run an online course, and am the guide for BezzyIBD.

Each workday looks different being self-employed. I may be talking with clients, creating social media content, writing articles or blog posts, moderating in the BezzyIBD forums, and more. There is always a to-do list!

Go for a walk

Walking is my favorite form of movement, and I aim to get out for a walk every day. In the winter, this can be tricky with snow, ice, and frigid temperatures, but I try my best. I love that walking combines exercise with fresh air and sunshine — all things that improve my mood.

I usually listen to uplifting music, a podcast, or an affirmation tape filled with positive statements to feed my mind with productive thoughts as I walk. On days when I have a bit more time, I can walk to the beach, which is my happy place.

Meditate

Managing my stress has been the most challenging part of my healing and something I continually work on. Committing to a mediation practice has greatly helped with managing stress and spending more time feeling calm and grounded. I like to follow guided meditations from YouTube or on a podcast app. Sometimes, I follow this with other mindfulness practices, like journaling, EFT (emotional freedom technique, aka tapping), or repeating affirmations.

Dance it out

There’s something I love about getting my energy out through dance. There is no structure or formality to my solo dance parties. I just align my mood with the right music and begin moving energy around. After I’ve been sitting at my desk for a while, this is a fun way to stretch out and reenergize myself if I have more work to do.

Use self-care practices

The evening is for winding down and restoring myself after the day’s activities. A favorite routine is dry brushing, which encourages lymphatic drainage, followed by an Epsom salt bath for relaxation, and then doing my lineup of clean skin care. These are simple, low cost self-care activities that make me feel luxurious, cozy, and relaxed for bed.