IBDetermined at UCLA

On the last day of September, otherwise known as Su***de Prevention Month, we’d like to comment on the relationship between mental health and chronic physical illness. Swipe for more info, a few stress management techniques, and some amazing resources! This / cross-over was brought to you on a Wednesday 😇💜 Wishing all of our fellow Bruins a beautiful last day of Summer break!
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In the comments, feel free to tell us what you do to manage your stress!
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***dePrevention ***dePreventionMonth

In honor of tomorrow being the 30th anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), we felt it important to spend this starting a conversation surrounding the relationships between chronic illness and (dis)ability. Swipe for further educational resources! 💜
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This weekend, IBDetermined at UCLA participated in Take Steps (Virtual edition!), a fundraiser and community-building event put on by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. We took steps on Saturday for the people in our lives affected by IBD: our club members, our siblings, our best friends, our cousins, our mentors, and the other 3.1 million Americans living with IBD! That’s why this week’s post is about community. There is power in numbers, it’s such a special thing to know that you aren’t alone and that there are so many people across the nation walking together to fundraise for a cure 💜 Thank you to the fabulous Los Angeles Chapter staff for an amazing event!
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is more than just a hashtag. It’s a commitment to recognizing and actively working to dismantle the systemic race-based trauma that plagues our society. To work towards this, we want to within our IBD community. These four incredible Black women are IBD warriors and patient advocates who have made such empowering, valuable strides within the Crohn’s and colitis community and beyond. Their voices, stories, and advocacy efforts are important to celebrate and recognize, today and always. Swipe through to learn more about their work and follow their pages for more content!
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Empathy counts. Words matter. For communities faced with systemic trauma and oppression and for people who are living with chronic illness such as IBD, a few extra words of care can go a long way. This is an emotionally exhausting time, particularly for Black folx in our Bruin community and beyond. How can we be more intentional about checking in on the loved ones in our lives? Together, let’s seek to listen, affirm, understand, and recognize.

Happy from us at IBDetermined! Everyone’s journey is unique, and there’s no one “correct” way to feel about chronic illness. Here’s what a few of our members had to say about their journeys 💜 So now, we ask you: if you had to describe IBD in one word, what would you say?

Link in bio! In anticipation of World IBD Day (tomorrow!!), the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation held a panel highlighting and discussing what it’s like to be a person from a marginalized ethnic or racial background living with IBD. It’s an amazing watch and we highly recommend 😊💜

This year for , you can make your own infographic (link in bio ☺️), including a section about where you get your support from! Whether it’s your family or your fellow , it’s important to identify who makes up your circle of support to be there with you through the ups & downs of living with IBD 💜 Who are some of your supporters?

Link in bio! We don’t know about you, but we at IBDetermined at UCLA are feeling the stress of midterm season. We wanted to provide this FREE resource, because doing things that you enjoy can bring down your stress levels, which is especially important for and patients! 💜

Pro-tip: practice mindfulness as you wind down your Monday! Whether you’re anxious about your classes or IBD, or just looking for a way to be fully present, mindfulness can help reduce stress and induce calm 💜 Looking for a way to get started? is UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, which offers plentiful workshops, guided meditation videos, and more!

This week’s is one of our most beautiful! 😍 You can now watch a livestream of the Northern Lights powered by from your very own quarantine location 💜 If you’re looking for a calming experience and to take a break from homework, Netflix, or just everyday life, take a peek at the link in our IG bio! .ucla
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Stop!! 🛑 Take a moment: Breathe in for 4 seconds. Hold this breath for 7 seconds. Gently release the breath for 8 seconds. Repeat ❤️This 4-7-8 technique is known as the relaxing breath because it can be a way to soothe anxiety, which can be particularly useful during this time of uncertainty, and when living with chronic illness such as and