Simple Solution for Chronic Bloating: The Gut-Stress Connection

If you're bloated after every meal, dealing with constipation or diarrhea (or both), and your doctor says "it's just IBS," you're not imagining it—and it's not just about food.

Your gut and brain are in constant communication through the vagus nerve. When you're stressed, anxious, or burned out, your nervous system directly impacts your digestion.

Here's what stress does to your gut:

• Slows digestion: When you're in "fight or flight" mode, your body diverts energy away from digestion. Food sits in your stomach longer, causing bloating and discomfort.

• Changes gut motility: Stress can cause either diarrhea (if your colon speeds up) or constipation (if it slows down). This is why your symptoms might change depending on what's happening at work.

• Increases inflammation: Chronic stress triggers inflammatory responses in your GI tract, worsening conditions like IBS, SIBO, or food sensitivities.

The simple solution: Learn to activate your "rest and digest" mode.

Before meals, take 5 deep breaths. This signals your parasympathetic nervous system to turn on, which improves digestion, nutrient absorption, and gut motility. It sounds too simple, but it works—because your gut literally cannot function properly when your nervous system is in stress mode.

Other quick wins:

• Chew your food thoroughly (20-30 times per bite)

• Eat without distractions (no phone, no laptop)

• Take a short walk after meals (stimulates digestion)

Your gut health isn't just about probiotics and eliminating foods—it's about calming your nervous system so your body can actually digest.