For over two decades I have lived with daily stress, some days more than others. When we were forced to ‘halt’ all activities during COVID, I had much time to reflect on a lot of things.

Feeling stressed out made me eat more and my gut would be in constant turmoil. You can say Roller Coaster. My gut is extremely sensitive and intuitive. Let me share an article with you from the Harvard Medical School “The Impact Of Stress On Your Gut”

The impact of stress on your gut

Given how closely the gut and brain interact, it might seem obvious that the pair often influence each other. Some people feel nauseated before giving a presentation; others feel intestinal pain during times of stress. In any case, emotional and psychosocial factors play a role in functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Get your copy of The Sensitive Gut

When your digestive system is running smoothly, you tend not to think about it. Once trouble begins, your gut — like a squeaky wheel — suddenly demands your attention. This Special Health Report, The Sensitive Gut, covers the major sources of gastrointestinal distress: irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas. It also includes a special Bonus Section describing how emotional stress and anxiety can cause gastrointestinal distress.

Treating the whole body

Stress-related symptoms felt in the gastrointestinal tract vary greatly from one person to the next, and treatment can vary as well. For example, one person with gastroesophageal reflux disease might have an occasional, mild burning sensation in the chest, while another experiences excruciating discomfort night after night. As the severity of symptoms varies, so should the therapies, medications, self-help strategies, or even surgeries used to relieve them.

Many people have mild symptoms that respond quickly to changes in diet or medications. If your symptoms do not improve, your clinician may ask you more questions about your medical history and perform some diagnostic tests to rule out an underlying cause. For some people, symptoms improve as soon as a serious diagnosis, like cancer, has been ruled out. Your doctor may also recommend symptom-specific medications.

But sometimes these treatments are not enough. If symptoms persist, it’s common to experience psychological distress.

Some people are reluctant to accept the role of psycho-social factors in their illness. But it’s important to know that emotions cause genuine chemical and physical responses in the body that can result in pain and discomfort.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and stress reduction techniques such as meditation and relaxation therapies can help manage pain and improve other symptoms in ways that are different from how drugs act. The goal of all therapies is to reduce anxiety, encourage healthy behaviors, and help people cope with the pain and discomfort of their condition.

For more on the connection between brain health and gut health, read The Sensitive Gut, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.