by Nadia Sinclair

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Did you ever stop to wonder how stress impacts your digestive health? Anxiety and tension don’t only jeopardize your mood or skin health, but also put brakes on your digestive system, causing it to underperform. The ripples of stress-induced digestive issues extend to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) like symptoms such as bloating, constipation, cramps, and even improper nutrient absorption.

Stress and Indigestion: Unravelling an Underrated Connection

Stress can trigger a chain reaction of digestive malfunctions, including constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, and wind. Caught in the whirlpool of our fast-paced lives, we often overlook these signs, allowing them to evolve into potentially debilitating conditions. However, the good news is that the effects of stress on our digestive systems are not permanent and can be mitigated, hence, preventing painful symptoms and ineffective nutrient absorption.

Five Strategies to Unwind Your Digestive System

Leveraging advice from an experienced nutrition consultant, let’s outline five ways to de-stress your digestive system and boost gut efficiency.

1. Dodge Processed Foods and Sugar

Stress sometimes manifests in food cravings – we find ourselves leaning towards a sugar-rich treat that promises instant gratification. However, this sugar rush is short-lived and ends up feeding the harmful bacteria in our gut, creating an imbalance and leaving the beneficial bacteria out in the cold.

Solution: Feed the good bacteria with a fiber-rich diet, including plenty of vegetables, oats, beans, and pulses, which will keep them robust and thriving.

2. Bolster Your Digestive Enzymes

Insufficient digestive enzyme, essential for breaking down food to extract nutrients, can play havoc with the digestive process. Symptoms include acid reflux and continuity, and even nutritional deficiency.

Solution: Our bodies naturally produce digestive enzymes, which wane with age. Consider taking a daily supplement of digestive enzymes like Digest Complete that contains 11 naturally occurring vegetarian enzymes for seamless digestion and nutrient absorption.

3. Bypass Prolonged Sedentary Periods

An inactive lifestyle may lead to low mood, tension, and a sluggish digestive system. General physical activity can stimulate your digestive system.

Solution: Even a modest 10-minute daily exercise can help. Walking, jogging, yoga, Pilates, or even house chores can reduce stress, anxiety, and boost digestion.

4. Curb Your Caffeine Intake

Caffeine can trigger an overactive digestive system, causing painful IBS-like symptoms for some people.

Solution: Try cutting down on caffeine if you’re susceptible. Increase fluid intake with options like plain water, hot water with lemon or freshly grated ginger, herbal teas, soups, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

5. Refrain from Late-night Eating

Eating close to bedtime can overload your digestive system, disrupting its overnight repair cycle, resulting in inadequate rejuvenation, and may make you more prone to IBS symptoms.

Solution: Try to wrap up your dinner at least three hours before bedtime to optimize the digestive process.

Let your morning stress ease out, and watch your digestive health flourish into a well-oiled machine!

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