We all understand what it means to have a “gut feeling” or to feel like we’ve been punched in the stomach when we’ve gotten bad news. Anyone who has experienced a stressful situation doesn’t need a PhD to know that stress can be hard on the stomach. Whether it is public speaking, getting engaged, a work deadline or finding out that your little one has chicken pox, stress – both good and bad – can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
The impact of stress goes far beyond indigestion. We have a remarkably complex connection between the brain and the digestive system. Our moods and stress may contribute hugely to a wide range of digestive issues including irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, ulcers and bloating. If you need backup to help get on top of stress try Stress Response.
Are your digestive issues psychosomatic?
Yes, this is a thing. Digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, stomach pain and/or nausea might not actually be caused by foods you’re eating or a structural issue in your digestive tract but may in fact be related to your nervous system, which is linked to your digestive system!
Observing and understanding how your digestion responds, or reacts, when your stressed is a big piece of the puzzle. Did you know stress can slow down digestion and reduce the enzymes required to break down foods you eat? Taking digestive enzymes like Enzymedia Digest Gold ATPro can help support slow digestion in times of high stress and anxiousness. Supporting your immune system during these stressful periods with My Immune Cold & Flu and keeping your respiratory passages clear with Mucostop can also help maintain overall wellness and resilience. The good news is there are ways in which you can use your mind to calm down your nervous system; using some simple self-care strategies that are free, and easy to implement – find out how here: Mindful Moments – daily self-care inspiration & checklist.
