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Small, practical things that helped real people living with psoriasis and celiac disease. Narrow it down to the part of life you're dealing with right now.

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Showing 41–60 of 72 tips

  • From the research

    Carry your top reasons for change on a wallet card or phone note

    Write down your most important personal reasons for not drinking and keep them somewhere you can reach instantly, like a wallet card, a phone note or a saved email. Reread them …

    Source: NIAAA Rethinking Drinking (NIH)

    Addiction & recoveryHabits & routinesCravings

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Struggling right now? Call or text 988 (Canada/US). More support options

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Line up a friend on standby before a tempting event

    Arrange for a trusted friend to be available by phone during a risky event, or bring them along. Talking it through with someone is one way to handle an urge you can't avoid.

    Source: NIAAA Rethinking Drinking (NIH)

    Addiction & recoveryTriggers & lifestyleCravingsSocial situations

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Struggling right now? Call or text 988 (Canada/US). More support options

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Ride out an urge like a wave instead of fighting it

    Urges are usually short-lived. Treat one as normal and temporary: let it build, crest like an ocean wave and pass. Have a few distractions ready for different lengths of time, s…

    Source: NIAAA Rethinking Drinking (NIH)

    Addiction & recoveryMind & moodCravings

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Struggling right now? Call or text 988 (Canada/US). More support options

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Get an alcohol-free drink in hand early, and plan an exit

    At parties, keep an alcohol-free drink in your hand, which also cuts down on offers. Decide in advance how you'll leave quickly and gracefully if temptation gets too strong.

    Source: NIAAA Rethinking Drinking (NIH)

    Addiction & recoveryTriggers & lifestyleCravingsSocial situations

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Struggling right now? Call or text 988 (Canada/US). More support options

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Script and rehearse a three-step "no, thanks"

    Prepare an escalating sequence: "No, thank you", then "No, thanks, I don't want to", then a short reason and a request for support. Make eye contact, skip long explanations, and…

    Source: NIAAA Rethinking Drinking (NIH)

    Addiction & recoveryTriggers & lifestyleSocial situations

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Struggling right now? Call or text 988 (Canada/US). More support options

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Finding a support group: national networks, online meetings, word of mouth

    National and local peer groups such as SMART Recovery run in-person and online meetings, and loved ones may know of groups that fit your background. In the US, SAMHSA's free 24/…

    Source: SAMHSA (2026)

    Addiction & recoveryHabits & routinesSocial situations

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Struggling right now? Call or text 988 (Canada/US). More support options

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    US restroom rights: Ally's Law and the "I Can't Wait" card

    Versions of the Restroom Access Act (Ally's Law) have passed in 20 US states, giving people with IBD access to employee-only restrooms when no public one is available. Some stat…

    Source: Wingate LD, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (2025)

    Crohn's & colitisNavigating flaresDigestiveSocial situations

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Flying: book an aisle seat near the washroom and tell the airline ahead

    Book an aisle seat or the one closest to the washroom, and tell the airline about seating or dietary needs in advance. Ask about accommodations such as early boarding, and bring…

    Source: Crohn's and Colitis Canada

    Crohn's & colitisNavigating flaresDigestive

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Call the restaurant in a quiet hour with four specific questions

    Check the menu online, then call outside busy hours and ask: Is there a gluten-free menu? Which items can be made gluten-free? Do staff know what gluten is? Have they had gluten…

    Source: Celiac Disease Foundation

    Celiac diseaseFood & product findsSocial situations

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Abroad: keep coins for pay toilets and load a washroom-finder app

    Some countries charge for public toilets, and some only have squat toilets. Carry coins, use the washroom before leaving the hotel or restaurant, and learn how to ask "where is …

    Source: Crohn's and Colitis Canada

    Crohn's & colitisGear & toolsDigestive

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Road trips: pick the highway with rest stops over the scenic route

    Plan your route around reliable rest stops. Choose the highway with frequent pit stops over a remote scenic road, even if it's longer, and stop as you pass them. If you take a b…

    Source: Crohn's and Colitis Canada

    Crohn's & colitisNavigating flaresDigestive

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Eat at regular times, slowly, and chew well

    Canada's GI Society lists regular mealtimes, chewing well and eating slowly among its general IBS strategies. Some people also find smaller portions easier to tolerate than larg…

    Source: Stelluti AM, Gastrointestinal Society (badgut.org) (2023)

    IBSHabits & routinesDigestive

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Keep a personal "stress-down" menu for the gut–brain connection

    Gut symptoms often get worse during stressful, anxious stretches. Pick two or three ways to unwind, like a walk in nature, calm music, a nap, cooking, yoga, writing or reading, …

    Source: Stelluti AM, Gastrointestinal Society (badgut.org) (2023)

    IBSMind & moodDigestiveStress

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Put movement and enough sleep on the calendar

    The NIH says research suggests more physical activity, enough sleep and cutting down stressful situations where you can may help with IBS symptoms. Treat a daily walk and a cons…

    Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (2017)

    IBSTriggers & lifestyleSleepDigestiveStress

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    In winter, sit back from radiators, vents and fireplaces

    Dry air, cold and indoor heating can irritate skin and make eczema flare. Sit far enough from heat sources that they don't warm your skin, keep the thermostat from overheating t…

    Source: American Academy of Dermatology

    EczemaTriggers & lifestyle

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Slip cotton liners inside winter gloves or mittens

    Dermatologists recommend gloves or mittens made of cotton or another natural fibre. If those are hard to find, wear a cotton glove liner underneath to help prevent sweaty hands …

    Source: American Academy of Dermatology

    EczemaGear & toolsHands

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Heat for stiffness, cold for hot swollen joints, with a towel between

    Arthritis Society Canada suggests a warm shower or warm pack for pain and stiffness, but not heat on an inflamed joint. For swelling, try a cold pack; a bag of frozen vegetables…

    Source: Arthritis Society Canada (2026)

    Rheumatoid arthritisPsoriatic arthritisNavigating flaresJoints

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Dress in easy-off layers and peel off wet snow gear straight away

    Overheating and sweat can bother eczema-prone skin. Wear loose layers that are easy to remove, unzip or take a break when you get too warm, and take off wet clothes and shoes as…

    Source: American Academy of Dermatology

    EczemaTriggers & lifestyle

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    Moisturizer first, then shaving gel, to cut down on nicks

    A shaving cut can be followed by new psoriasis at that spot about 10 to 14 days later. Dermatologists suggest applying moisturizer and then shaving gel before you shave to reduc…

    Source: American Academy of Dermatology

    PsoriasisSkin care & topical hacksFace

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors

  • From the research

    End the day by writing down three things you're grateful for

    Stress is a common psoriasis trigger, so dermatologists suggest a stress-management habit you practise even on good days. One example: write down three things you're grateful fo…

    Source: American Academy of Dermatology

    PsoriasisMind & moodSleepStress

    Personal experience, not medical advice.

    Shared by Pocketful editors