Stress and Your Digestion: How an Overworked Nervous System Affects Your Body
We've all experienced it: stress and tension that have a direct impact on our digestion. Think of that nausea before an important exam, feeling bloated before a presentation, or even suddenly having to go to the toilet in stressful situations.
For many, these are recognizable symptoms, but they can also occur more often and become a source of discomfort. Sometimes the cause lies in medical problems, and it is therefore wise to have this investigated. But did you know that an overstrained nervous system can also play a major role in this?
The role of your nervous system
Your nervous system is connected to all functions in your body and, depending on the situation and the signals it receives, it controls or pauses certain functions.
One of those many functions is your digestion. Fortunately, it all runs automatically. But when signals of danger are picked up, your nervous system will temporarily interrupt your digestion to increase your focus and alertness. In itself, that is not a bad thing: your nervous system automatically chooses for you what is most important for your survival at that moment.
But with constant stress, tension, trauma or an exhausted, overstimulated nervous system, your body has too little time to relax and digest optimally. This can lead to digestive discomfort and even health problems in the long term. And those problems in turn cause extra stress and tension... A vicious circle.
Everything is connected
Your digestion is just one of many bodily functions that are strongly influenced by your nervous system. When your nervous system is constantly under stress, your entire body becomes unbalanced. It is therefore essential to make your nervous system more resilient, so that you can better deal with stress and, despite challenging situations, still find sufficient relaxation. Fortunately, you can also turn the circle by working on both your digestion and your nervous system.
What can you do?
To better support your nervous system and reduce stress, you can adopt some simple but effective habits:
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Deep Breathing : Breathing exercises help calm your nervous system and bring your body back into 'rest and digest' mode.
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Regular relaxation : Find moments of rest through meditation, yoga or mindfulness.
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Healthy diet : Eat a balanced diet that supports your digestion.
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Sufficient exercise : Walking, playing sports or stretching helps to reduce stress and make your body function better.
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Sleep : A good night's sleep is essential for the recovery of your nervous system and your overall health.
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Herbs : Certain herbs can help with both your digestion and your nervous system, such as bitter herbs, carminative herbs, neurotonics, and relaxant nervinums.
Would you also like to learn how to support and strengthen your nervous system?
Then come to our One Day Retreat β Pamper Your Vagus Nerve ! A stronger nervous system can switch more smoothly between tension and relaxation, giving your body and mind the space to relax, enjoy and heal more.
During this retreat we will teach you how to support and strengthen your nervous system with breathing, bodywork and herbs.
Because if there's one thing I've learned over the past year, it's that a holistic approach, involving different aspects, can really have a profound, healing impact.