Having a little stress in our lives is not bad all the time. It can help us to be more aware, productive, and keep us on schedule. However, stress should come with a leaflet that says: “Side effects may include loss of appetite, cramps, bloating, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, indigestion, etc.”
As you can see, stress is no joke.
It can affect the human body in a lot of ways without us even realizing it. People don’t just say they have “butterflies” in their stomach or they’re making a “gut-wrenching” decision for no reason. Performers don’t throw up before going on the stage, because they just feel like it, right?
Why does it have all these side effects?
Among many others, the digestive system is tightly connected to the nervous system and the brain. That’s why when we’re stressed out, we can feel it everywhere, especially in our gut.
There are hundreds of bacteria living in our digestive organs. No reason to worry, they’re the good and important kind. In fact, these bacteria can even influence your mood, help your immune system, maintain your metabolism, and affect many other aspects of your well-being.
If stress comes in, it can cause an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria, which results in digestive problems and mood changes. That’s when the stress starts doing more bad than good.
If that continues for long enough, disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can be developed. No one wants that!
See Also: Why the Keto Diet is Good for Gut Health
How does stress affect individual organs?
A drastic increase/decrease in eating and more frequent use of alcohol and tobacco are common outcomes of too much stress. These changes can lead to problems with the esophagus such as constant burping, gassing, and finding it difficult to swallow.
There are also worse-case scenarios — acid reflux and spasms. These spasms can feel similar to a heart attack.
There are obvious consequences for the stomach itself, too. For example, vomiting or loss of appetite, as previously mentioned. The walls of the intestines in general can become weaker and more sensitive due to a lot of stress.
Diarrhea and constipation are also possibilities because being stressed out changes the speed, at which food moves through the body.
How can we take better care of our gut?
Well…don’t be stressed!
That’s easier said than done, right? Most of the time, we can’t simply forget, ignore, or remove the stressors in our lives on a whim.
A more manageable solution to conquering stress is getting regular exercise. You’ve probably heard it before, but it is absolutely true. It’s the best way to feel healthier, get better sleep, and relieve stress.
Plus, working out releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers.
Other things you can do include:
- Organizing your time and schedule better
- Stop leaving tasks for the last minute
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Say no when you are feeling overwhelmed
- Avoid situations that trigger your stress
For relaxation and feeling calmer as a whole, try yoga or meditation. Seriously, it changes lives.
Bottom line is that we must be careful with how much stress we put on ourselves. It can actually affect your entire body — including your gut!
