1018: The Gut-Brain Connection: How Stress Impacts Your Stomach

Published: April 3, 2024, 8 p.m.

In today's episode, Gina discusses a listener question about anxiety and stomach issues. Stress can have a major impact on our bodies and the functioning of the stomach in particular. Listen in to better understand why your stomach related symptoms occur and how to heal from these distressing effects of anxiety.\nPlease visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!\nhttps://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ \nThank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. \nFREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind\n10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety \nAnxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching link\nACPGroupCoaching.com\nTo learn more, go to:\nWebsite https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com\nJoin our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program\nLearn more about our One-on-One Coaching \nWhat is anxiety? \nFind even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:\nFor $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/\nHere's what's included for $5/month:\n\u2764 New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday\n\u2764 Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes\n\u2764 Premium meditations recorded with you in mind\n\u2764 And more fun surprises along the way!\nAll this in your favorite podcast app!\nQuote:\nThe nervous system controls and coordinates all organs and structures of the human body.\n-Gray's Anatomy\nChapters\n0:23 Introduction\n7:52 The Gut-Brain Connection\n11:23 Short-Term Recovery\n13:08 Long-Term Healing Considerations\n17:20 Continuous Self-Care and Stress Management\nSummary\nIn this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, we delve into the fascinating topic of the gut-brain connection and how stress impacts our stomach. Stress triggers the body's fight or flight response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can affect digestion by reducing blood flow, increasing stomach acid production, altering gut motility, and disrupting the gut microbiome. The body diverts blood flow away from the stomach during stress to prioritize essential functions for survival.\n\nThe gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in connecting the central nervous system with the gut's enteric nervous system, influencing gut function through pathways like the vagus nerve and neurotransmitter release. Emotion-induced responses such as anxiety and stress can affect gut function, highlighting the intricate connection between mental health and digestion. The enteric nervous system acts as a second brain within the digestive system, controlling gastrointestinal functions and interacting with the central nervous system for overall health and wellbeing.\n\nWhen it comes to healing after psychological stress, factors like stress duration, intensity, individual resilience, and coping mechanisms play a significant role. Short-term recovery can occur rapidly once the stressor is managed, while long-term healing from chronic stress may require engaging in stress-reducing activities, seeking therapy or counseling, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and practicing self-care consistently. Healing timelines vary from person to person, emphasizing the importance of individual variability and continuous self-care even after immediate stress effects have subsided.\n\nBy making healthy lifestyle changes, practicing stress management techniques, and prioritizing self-care, individuals can navigate through chronic stress and promote long-lasting well-being. It's essential to be proactive in maintaining a supportive environment for the mind and body to relax and heal. Remember, healing takes time, so be patient with yourself and embrace the journey towards a calmer, healthier state of being. Join me in exploring more topics in upcoming episodes, and feel free to share your questions or thoughts with me via email. Until next time, take care and aloha.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices