{"id":4498,"date":"2025-10-28T13:18:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T13:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/daily-habits-that-can-boost-your-mental-health-with-a-stoma-by-ayesha\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T13:18:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T13:18:13","slug":"daily-habits-that-can-boost-your-mental-health-with-a-stoma-by-ayesha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/daily-habits-that-can-boost-your-mental-health-with-a-stoma-by-ayesha\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily habits that can boost your mental health with a stoma | by Ayesha"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-947\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-70 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#6e6760\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85777e33261313fbde86961401c8af7c text-center lg:text-center\">Daily habits that can boost your mental health with a stoma | by Ayesha<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer\n    h-8    lg:h-24\"\n>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If I\u2019m not feeling myself, I\u2019ll do little things to improve my mood such as get my nails done, buying new pyjamas or watching my favourite movie or TV show. I\u2019ll try and have slow morning, take my time with my hair and make up, and try and give myself a little boost. Just all the things that fill my cup.<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer\n    h-4    lg:h-12\"\n>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-purple-400-color\">Feeling your emotions<\/mark><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl wp-block-paragraph\">Post-surgery, I struggled to speak my emotions and I found journaling really helped me, it\u2019s good to put your thoughts to paper, reflect on how far you\u2019ve came and practice gratitude. I\u2019m lucky to be in the position where I have more good days than bad but when the bad days creep in, it\u2019s a real setback! I find meeting with friends\/family, going a walk and grabbing a coffee is also a form of therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-purple-400-color\">Exercise<\/mark><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl wp-block-paragraph\">Exercise is always my go to! I find running is so good to clear your mind, reduce stress and have you feeling good in yourself. I enjoy Pilates and find this is really helpful for my core after loosing my strength from surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve recently joined a Crossfit gym. As great as it is for socialising, I like the challenge of pushing myself to my limits while being careful and considerate with my stoma bag. I try to be careful and avoid any direct contact with my bag. Wearing a belt to the gym is really helpful with a stoma or sometimes I find I\u2019m well supported with leggings I\u2019m wearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-purple-400-color\">Support groups<\/mark><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m also very grateful for the friends I\u2019ve gained in the stoma community, it\u2019s the best form of support and it\u2019s so nice being able to speak to people who just get it and we all have the same goal to help others and break stigmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-purple-600-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-649c51c1cba161912fdfc58c6fb67e6a text-xl lg:text-xl wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ayeshaduffy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Ayesha<\/strong><br><strong>@ayeshaduffy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer\n    h-8    lg:h-8\"\n>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div>\n    <div class=\"stories-carousel\">\n        <div class=\"glide__track\" data-glide-el=\"track\">\n            <ul class=\"glide__slides\">\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/running-beyond-limits-with-a-stoma-by-kevin\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213.jpg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213-1024x741.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213-768x556.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213-1536x1112.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213-600x434.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/03\/IMG_7956-scaled-e1772450860213.jpg 1920w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">Running beyond limits with a stoma | by Kevin<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">5 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/long-haul-flights-with-a-stoma-by-summer\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825-100x100.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0535-scaled-e1779109087825.jpeg 1920w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">Long haul flights with a stoma | by Summer<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">4 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/how-my-stoma-routine-has-changed-over-time-by-rachel\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-255x300.jpeg 255w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-870x1024.jpeg 870w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-127x150.jpeg 127w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-768x904.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-1305x1536.jpeg 1305w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-1740x2048.jpeg 1740w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974-600x706.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_9630-scaled-e1778063616974.jpeg 1920w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">How my stoma routine has changed over time | by Rachel<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">5 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/what-is-hirschsprungs-disease-and-how-has-it-impacted-me-by-rachel\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552-287x300.jpeg 287w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552-978x1024.jpeg 978w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552-143x150.jpeg 143w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552-768x804.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552-1467x1536.jpeg 1467w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552-600x628.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_0833-scaled-e1778062502552.jpeg 1920w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">What is Hirschsprung&#8217;s Disease and how has it impacted me? | by Rachel<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">5 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/travelling-sri-lanka-with-a-stoma-by-summer\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454-300x233.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454-1024x795.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454-150x116.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454-768x596.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454-1536x1192.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454-600x466.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/IMG_2234-scaled-e1778061045454.jpeg 1920w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">Traveling Sri Lanka with a stoma | by Summer<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">4 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/my-trip-to-disneyland-with-a-stoma-by-phillipa\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985.jpg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985-300x267.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985-1024x911.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985-150x134.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985-768x684.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985-600x534.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/05\/81e113ad-e8a8-4e20-9d60-c1979ab17f79-e1777632220985.jpg 1365w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">My trip to Disneyland with a stoma | by Phillipa<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">7 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"glide-navigation-wrapper\">\n            <a href=\"\/us\/blog\/\" class=\"btn btn-gradient w-full text-center lg:w-fit\">Explore all stories and advice<\/a>\n            <div class=\"glide-navigation\">\n                <div class=\"bullets\" data-glide-el=\"controls[nav]\">\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 0\" data-glide-dir=\"=0\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 1\" data-glide-dir=\"=1\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 2\" data-glide-dir=\"=2\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 3\" data-glide-dir=\"=3\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 4\" data-glide-dir=\"=4\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 5\" data-glide-dir=\"=5\"><\/button>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"controls\" data-glide-el=\"controls\">\n                    <button aria-label=\"Previous slide\" class=\"prev btn btn-gradient\"><\/button>\n                    <button aria-label=\"Next slide\" class=\"next btn btn-gradient\"><\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer\n    h-4    lg:h-20\"\n>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If I\u2019m not feeling myself, I\u2019ll do little things to improve my mood.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4499,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[84],"class_list":["post-4498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-ayesha"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4498"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4498\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}