Father’s Day IBS Gift Ideas

Father’s Day around the corner, you might be wondering what gift to get for Dad with IBS. Don’t worry, we have some great suggestions here!

Check out our other article with gift ideas here.

1. Atrantil

The best thing you can do for a loved one with IBS is get them Atrantil. Atrantil was created by a gastroenterologist and his team of researchers to improve the lives of his clients who found no relief with other typical IBS treatments.

Atrantil is a polyphenolic blend that helps to eradicate bacteria and archaea from the small intestine. While it removes these harmful species, it’s also nurturing your gut microbiome by feeding it prebiotics and large polyphenols. This keeps your gut healthy and reduces IBS and SIBO symptoms like bloating and abdominal cramping by getting to the root cause.

2. Massage

IBS and SIBO have a large psychological factor to them. This is NOT to say that the symptoms are in your head or that you’re making it up. This is saying that anxiety, depression, stress, and other psychological issues can negatively impact IBS symptoms.

Since the comorbidities are frequently seen, and we know that the gut-brain axis is a major factor in IBS flare-ups, we want to make sure that stress is managed regularly.

Massage is a great way to reduce stress, improve sleep (another common issue among people with IBS), and increase relaxation. Abdominal massage can help to improve the frequency of bowel movements and visceral hypersensitivity.

So make sure to ask the massage therapist you’re booking the massage with if they offer that service before scheduling a massage for your loved one.

3. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is similar to massage, but it directly works on the lymphatic system as opposed to the muscles and cardiovascular system.

There are lymphatic structures within the gastrointestinal system — GALT, MALT, cisterna chyli, etc. While there isn’t much research about how MLD directly affects IBS, it has similar calming effects to massage. But since it affects lymphatic flow, it has the potential to improve immune response and IBS symptoms.

4. Meditation Class

Meditation is another way to improve the gut-brain axis. There are many different ways to do meditation. You can join a class, download an app on your phone, or join an online group. Whatever way works best for your loved one, meditation could be the best way to manage symptom flare-ups.

5. Yoga Class Pass

Yoga is a fantastic way to positively influence the gut-brain axis. In addition, yoga has been shown to help improve bowel habits. Yoga helps to get the body moving, which the aging body needs.

So while you’re improving GI health, you’re also gifting your dad a better quality of life through more comfortable movement. Yoga classes are great for the social aspect as well. Moving together with other people is a great way to improve the overall health of your dad.

6. Qi Gong or Tai Chi Classes

Qi gong and tai chi are martial arts forms that are gentle but incredibly helpful to the body. If yoga isn’t really your dad’s thing, try offering these types of classes.

Like yoga, they get the body moving in gentle but powerful ways. This helps their mind and body to work while giving them a positive and uplifting social setting.

7. Journal

Journaling is a great way to get your feelings and thoughts out of your body onto paper. This is a great way to be mindful and to center yourself. Many people find journaling to be very calming and helpful to get their worries under control.

A study was done on expressive writing for patients with IBS. Participants were asked to write for 30 minutes for 4 consecutive days each week for 3 months. Symptom severity and cognitive abilities had improved greatly for the writing group, but not for the control group. Journaling about how they feel specific and non-specific to IBS can help to improve mental wellness.

So get a nice, new journal for your dad to help him cope with his feelings so he can feel better overall.

8. Funny IBS Gifts

If you search the internet for ‘funny IBS gifts’ a ton of different options come up. While IBS itself isn’t a laughing matter, it sometimes helps to have a lighthearted way to look at symptoms and life with IBS. The silly raccoon shirts that say I.B.S. (I be ___) might be the best dad joke your dad has heard!

Laugh therapy is a real thing, and giving someone a reminder when they’re dealing with unbearable symptoms is sometimes all they need to have a better outlook on their situation.

9. IBS Friendly Cookbook

Sticking to the low FODMAP diet can be difficult because it feels very limited in what you can eat. Getting a cookbook for someone that is full of flavorful, exciting new recipes can make mealtime easier. There are a ton of cookbooks for IBS out there and it’s a great way to make some memories in the kitchen with your family.

Having recipes at your fingertips makes it easier to stick to the diet so that symptoms can be more easily managed. If you don’t find a cookbook that you like, check out our website for great IBS-friendly recipes!

10. Plants

Your dad is likely done growing you at this point. But that sense of needing to care for others never really goes away. Getting your dad some plant babies is a great way to give him a sense of purpose that is actually a really great hobby to have.

People who care for plants are more exposed to the microbes in the soil which is a great way to enhance the gut microbiome. Plus if you get herbal plants and make a small indoor garden, they double as a health nourishing gift as well! Plants like mint, fennel, chamomile, ginger, and basil are all great for IBS.

11. Essential Oils

If taking care of plants isn’t really his thing, essential oils are another great way to expose him to the power of plants. Essential oils are best used topically or aromatically. Some brands claim they can be ingested but there is not much research on the safety of taking the concentrated oils internally.

Diffusing essential oils is a great way to boost mood and cognition. Using oils topically can help concentrate where you want the benefits to go. Some essential oils that are great for IBS include:

Peppermint
Anise
Ginger
Chamomile
Fennel
Coriander
Lemon balm

Remember to teach him to dilute the oils before using them topically as they can cause skin irritation. He can massaging the oils on his feet or stomach (in the same direction the stool goes — up the right side of his stomach, across the top, and down their left) as a gentle way to promote digestion.

People with IBS often don’t want a reminder of their woes. However, these gifts show you care and offer gentle support that can help their mind get off of the fact that they have it or support those thoughts in a caring manner.

Let us know what your dad’s favorite gift is this year!

Check out more gift ideas for health-conscious people here!

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