Gut Trouble? This is Why...

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Stress doesn’t just affect your brain; it has an equally deep impact on our entire body. Whenever a person is under stress, they go through several changes in their normal body functions. For many people, one of these changes includes issues with the proper digestion of meals. For example, some people start having constipation due to stress, while others complain about loose stools. Whatever the cause of your stress, it can ruin your body’s digestive functions.

The Link Between Stress and Digestion

You must be curious to know how stress is linked with digestion as both involve two different parts of the body. Stress is linked with the brain, while digestive issues are linked with your digestive tract and stomach. However, according to research our stomach and digestive track have something similar to our autonomic nervous system. This similar nervous system is now named the enteric nervous system that can be triggered by stress hormones.

When stress hormones are released in our brain when we are anxious, they flow into the bloodstream and reach the enteric nervous system. Upon entering into the enteric nervous system, they start to send signals to the stomach, digestive tract, and intestines to contract or relax unusually. When this happens, it becomes difficult for the food inside the stomach to completely digest. In the same way, the intestines fail to manage the regular bowel movements as they were doing before. As a result, a person either gets loose stools, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or sometimes constipation. IBS is a disorder of the large intestine that hurts your digestive system in the long run.

People with prolonged stress are usually more prone to having digestion issues which can flare up at any stress-filled moment. Prolonged issues with digestion can negatively impact your health and wellbeing. Therefore, you must take measures to manage your stress as well as digestive health. Here are some of the tips that you must follow whenever you are under stress.

How to Control Digestive Issues When You are Under Stress

Stress is a condition that we keep facing on and off but can’t say goodbye to it forever. Although we can manage our stress effectively, it is also important to learn to protect our wellbeing whenever stress hits us. Therefore, by following some of these simple tips you can save your digestive system from the impacts of stress.

Focus on healthy eating.

It is important to focus on healthy eating, such as eating lots of fruits and vegetables because fruits and vegetables are easy to digest and provide energy to our body. Your body will also get the required nutrition to fight the stress agents and a healthy diet is easily digestible. To help you out, check out my courses HERE. I have done the hard work for you.

Eat-in smaller portions.

Eating in smaller portions is the best strategy to protect you from digestive issues when you are under stress. You won’t over-burden your digestive system and it will be easier for your stomach to effectively digest the smaller portions of food without creating any digestion issues.

Increase your physical activity.

An increase in physical activity will result in improving your digestion and managing your stress level. Talk a walk, exercise at the gym, or perform any physical activity that keeps you active. This is the best way to avoid getting digestion issues such as IBS, loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, and also stress.

Drink lots of water.

Drinking lots of water helps in flushing out the toxin compounds in our body and improves the flow of blood. As a result, our organs receive a good supply of clean and oxygenated blood to properly perform their functions.

How to Avoid Stress

Now that you know how to protect yourself from the adverse impacts of stress, why not control the stress in the first place? To control the stress, try these simple but very useful tips below.

Practice several stress management strategies regularly, such as meditation and yoga.
Make some necessary lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy while avoiding processed, junk, or fast food.
Set a proper nighttime routine and get at least 8 hours of sound sleep every night.
Take vitamin supplements to combat stress.
Work with a Burnout Prevention Coach

Stress has a deep influence on various systems and organs of our body that control our wellbeing. To avoid getting digestive issues such as loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, or IBS, try to manage your stress first. Also learn the techniques to protect your systems from the stress impacts to enjoy good overall health by working with a Burnout Prevention Coach. This is how you can enjoy a healthy, happy, and prosperous life even while being in Ministry.