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.
Are your digestive issues psychosomatic?
We love this article by Chrystie Aston, The Gut Health Nutritionist, which discusses psychosomatic factors in gastrointestinal issues. She explains how digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain and/or nausea might not actually be caused by foods you’re eating or a structural issue inside your digestive tract, but may actually be related to your nervous system, which is linked to your digestive system!
Chrystie offers a number of practical suggestions to help support digestive symptoms that may be a result of heightened nervous system activity. Because stress can slow down digestion and reduce the enzymes required to break down foods you eat, she suggests taking our Enzymedia Digest Gold ATPro, which can support your digestion in times of high stress and anxiety. She also outlines how you can use your mind to calm down your nervous system – read more about that, here!
