Heal your gut by calming down
Photo by Simran Sood on Unsplash
There are no ifs, ands or buts about it—stress wreaks havoc on your mind, body and soul in more ways than one. There is no escaping stress and sadly, it also plays a huge role in damaging your GM.
A bundle of nerves
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the peripheral nervous system, which is one of two components that make up our nervous system (the other being the central nervous system). The ANS is further divided into three more components: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and enteric nervous system.
The SNS is also known as our “fight or flight” (FOF) system and the PSNS being known as our “rest and digest” (RAD) system. It’s important to understand that as humans, we function in either mode all the time. It’s either/or, and the mode under which we regularly operate usually determines how healthy or sick we are.
Fight or flight
As I mentioned earlier, stress is unavoidable. When typically stressful events like a car accident or being chased by a pit bull happen and our FOF switch is toggled, we react accordingly, recover (usually) quickly and our bodies eventually return to RAD mode. When we’re in RAD mode, our bodily functions carry on pretty efficiently and all is well.
When we experience chronic stress from work, relationships, finances, or wherever else, our bodies go back to FOF mode and all the systems and energy set to keep us running like a well-oiled machine become compromised. And this includes our gut.
Chronic stress affects your emotions and emotions can affect your appetite by increasing or decreasing hunger, promoting comfort food cravings and compromising the digestive process (hello heartburn).
Rest and digest
Staying in the RAD mode is obviously the preferred state of being for a healthy GM. A useful method to ensure that you’re always in RAD mode is practicing mindful eating. Here’s what that can look like:
➤ Before taking that first bite, express gratitude by taking a few deep breaths
➤ Be present with your food and the process of eating and stop multitasking (which can further stress you out)
➤ Sit and smell your food; doing so starts the digestion process through nerve impulses sent to the brain and activates the secretion of digestive enzymes
➤ Instead of scarfing your food down, chew it properly; chewing food well ensures plenty of saliva that contain those enzymes that help break it all down for a smooth ride down to your GI
Cooking and eating my food has become a ritual that I often look forward to. I used to scarf my food down and now I like to savor and enjoy every bite. It definitely takes practice and is most beneficial especially if you suffer from chronic heartburn or acid reflux.
Learn to chill
The most fibrously green and clean diet in the world won’t save you from chronic stress. Even the good kind, called eustress, can be detrimental to your health. Eustress can be caused by events that are often considered positive like getting married, having a baby, graduating from school, etc.
Both kinds of stress are a part of life and the key to having a healthy GM is learning how to manage them by regularly practicing methods that work for you. Your gut friends will thank you!
Jumpstart your gut health and achieve vitality by downloading my free guide here! If you’re ready to gain energy, clarity and high levels of serotonin, I’d love to help. Book your free Gut Check Sesh here and let’s make it happen!
