If you struggle with stomach problems, you know how uncomfortable it can be. It may affect your day-to-day living and make work and play not as enjoyable as it could be.
Did you know that having issues with your gut is a symptom of stress and anxiety? There’s a strong connection between your stomach and the brain. The two are integrated, making caring for your mental health essential.
Discuss how managing anxiety can pave the way to a healthy gut. Before we dive into some tips, however, first, let’s tackle gastric intestinal (GI) and the nervous system. Below is a brief explanation of why the two are so intricately connected.
GI Issues and the ENS
Stress contributes to a lot of problems, including GI issues. The gut and the brain have a strong connection. In your stomach are nerves, the enteric nervous system, or ENS. Your “second brain” consists of the same neurons and neurotransmitters in your central nervous system. So, it makes sense why your gut and brain affect one another.
The ENS communicates with your brain in two ways. It “talks” to it through the nervous system and your hormones. When information gets exchanged, it affects your mental health.
The relationship with your gut and immune system also affects diseases such as:
- Parkinson’s
- Alzheimer’s
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Multiple sclerosis
Stomach Issues Resulting From Stress
When experiencing anxiety, your body releases hormones into your digestive system. Unfortunately, your nervousness can affect the microorganisms in your gut. While your body digests its food, antibody production decreases.
This results in a chemical imbalance that can result in you experiencing:
- Indigestion
- Stomach upset and diarrhea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite or unusual hunger
- Nausea
It’s frustrating, to say the least when you experience symptoms such as these. But the good news is that you don’t have to suffer. There are ways to feel better and maintain a healthy gut.
How to Better Manage Anxiety
To improve your gut health, there are specific steps you can take. Focusing on the below tips should alleviate stomach issues and hopefully, in time, help you feel better.
Give Your Body Time to Digest Its Food
After you get done eating, take time to relax. Staying calm allows your body to produce the gastric juices it needs to digest food. Gastric juice also absorbs essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Don’t Eat too Late at Night
Eating at least a few hours before bedtime gives your body ample time to digest food. If you go to bed right after you eat, it’s more difficult for your body to digest food. So, give yourself enough time between dinner and hitting the hat.
Watch What You Eat
What you put in your body is essential to your GI health. Instead of eating foods high in carbs and sugar, focus on eating healthy snacks and meals. For example, if you get tempted to eat fried food, try planning your meals beforehand. Create a menu so you know what you’ll be eating every day of the week. Preparing pre-planned meals is also effective when staying disciplined.
Practice Mindful Eating
It’s easy to overeat and not select the right foods when you sit in front of the television. You may find a bag of chips vanish right before your eyes as you mindlessly eat them during a favorite TV show.
Practicing mindful eating can save you calories and stomach issues. To focus on what you eat, stay away from the television. Enjoy each bite of food and focus on chewing. This allows your body to receive food slowly, resulting in fewer stomach issues.
Stay Active
Exercising regularly gets challenging, especially if you stay busy working. But staying active has excellent advantages for your stomach. It reduces stress and enables your body to digest its food more efficiently.
So, walk around the neighborhood or head to the gym. However you choose to get fit, your body and, thus, your gut will thank you.
Drink Lots of Water
Are you drinking enough water? Having enough H2O in your body is essential for a healthy stomach. Your goal should be to drink between six and eight glasses of water daily. Water speeds digestion along and cleanses your system. Plus, it prevents you from getting dehydrated.
When dehydrated, your body gets stressed out. So, be sure to have a bottle of water nearby. Drink it throughout the day to care for yourself.
Use Marijuana
Studies show that marijuana can help improve GI health. If you feel using cannabis may help, consult with a medical marijuana doctor. Although, if you use marijuana, take it slow. There are side effects to remember, such as being paranoid during your weed experience. This article details what to do if you get paranoid while using marijuana.
Conclusion
Your GI health is important, so do all you can to avoid anxiety. It’s possible when you apply the above tips and care for yourself. These are just a few simple steps you can take daily to achieve a healthy gut. When you experience fewer GI issues, you will experience a more fulfilling life.