This week, we will look more closely at the relationship between stress and irritable bowel syndrome. We will cover some background information on stress and its effects on the body. As we do this, it will become clear why stress and irritable bowel syndrome are so closely related. We will also discuss several ways to reverse the stress response and prevent the negative consequences of chronic stress. In the skills section, we cover several strategies for relaxation, mindfulness and stress management. We guide you through how to practice these strategies and ways you can integrate them into your daily life.