You may notice that you’re more prone to colds and stomachaches when you’re stressed. Stress tends to slow down the digestive process. What’s more, 70 percent of the immune system lies in the digestive system, according to findings reported in “Clinical & Experimental Immunology.”
Unfortunately, stress is occasionally unavoidable. To help, Vincent Pedre, MD, author of the new book, “Happy Gut: The Cleansing Program to Help You Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Eliminate Pain,” offers helpful tips for reducing digestive upset and keeping your gut healthy.
Pack healthy snacks.
While traveling, people tend to take unhealthy food for convenience. Pack nutritious foods like carrots, apples, almonds and frozen yogurt to keep your body strong. Foods like yogurt, which contain probiotics, not only treat digestive problems, but also help stop colds. One study found that those who took a probiotic supplement with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a kind of healthy probiotic bacteria, recovered earlier and reported less harsh symptoms.
While traveling, people tend to take unhealthy food for convenience. Pack nutritious foods like carrots, apples, almonds and frozen yogurt to keep your body strong. Foods such as yogurt, which contain probiotics, not only solves digestive problems, but is alleged to help stop colds. One study found that those who took a probiotic supplement with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a kind of healthy probiotic bacteria, recovered earlier and reported less harsh symptoms.
Eat mindfully.
Eating in a rush is a big no-no for good gut health, and makes you more likely to overeat, since it takes the brain about 20 minutes to recognize when you are full. Additionally, eating quickly can cause gas, acid indigestion, and bloating.
“When we stop and really enjoy what we’re eating, we’re less likely to overdo it, and we’ll avoid problems like emotional eating,” says Dr. Pedre.
Relieves stress.
Take “me time”. Maintaining an exercise routine and practicing deep breathing relaxation techniques can do wonders for mental and digestive health, in addition to help reduce the negative effects of stress on the digestive system, such as gas, acid reflux and stomach cramps.
Maintain a bedtime routine.
Get enough rest at least eight hours every night. Your body and gut love predictability. Plus, staying up late can make it more likely that you will visit the fridge and eat that slice of chocolate cake that will cause an upset stomach.
Help your body naturally.
Eating or drinking too much is simple, but it can cause an upset stomach. Check out local natural-products retailers, who offer homeopathic remedies such as Nux vomica to relieve nausea, heartburn, acid indigestion, or feelings of fullness related to consuming too much food or drink. Although this use has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration for its efficacy, Nux vomica is probably the most popular homeopathic remedies. It’s also easy to pick up. Pellets are quickly absorbed under the tongue without water, as opposed to being absorbed through the stomach, which may not function optimally. As a homeopathic remedy, there aren’t any known side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, gas or drowsiness.
To find out about relieving acute stomach problems, explore the Boiron Medicine Finder app. This free resource, available on both Android and iOS devices, allows users to find the right homeopathic remedy for a wide range of everyday conditions.
Both stress and pleasure can be detrimental to gut health — take steps to feel your best.
