Healthy & free! CLAIRE'S CROHN'S CONTROL

The Shortland Street star wants sufferers to know it’s not a life sentence

- Wendyl Nissen

Actor Claire Chitham knows a lot about keeping well. She shares her wellness journey with the Weekly.

You were diagnosed with Crohn's disease. How has that affected your life?

I don't say I have Crohn's disease any longer because I have not had it since I was 25. The reason I make that clarification is for people who have Crohn's disease to understand that it's not a life sentence. I was hospitalised with my Crohn's when I was 21 and on Shorty. I had a lot to live for because I was doing the thing I loved. The idea that could be taken away from me made my lioness come out. That drive is what got me to where I am today - healthy and free from Crohn's disease.

How have you learnt to live with this disease and prevent relapses?

The hard stuff was done between the ages of 18 and 25, and what I learned at an early age is to genuinely prioritise my own health at all times. Once I healed my body, that feeling of not being in pain, feeling healthy, strong and having loads of energy was amazing. It became easier for me to make that my priority. I never want to feel that bad again.

You have a successful, busy life. Does stress play a part in your wellness and how do you manage that?

Stress is unavoidable. I sometimes get little skin rashes that tell me I'm out of balance or inflamed. On a practical level, I will cut sugars, alcohol and dairy to try calm my system. Then I tend to need to get outside, put my feet in the sand, get in the ocean and walk in nature.