Constipated? Or Stressed?

Bloating, gas, reflux, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel, ‘sensitivities’, decreased/increased appetite, weight loss/gain, irritability, fatigue – I could go on, and yes this is what we’re talking about today. We’re going down the road of what stress can do to your body, and why it is so important to be honest with yourself and identify what truly may be going on with your life before blaming it on food.

I see more and more people in my practice who are dealing with, well, “Life”! Sometimes this comes with a dose of stress which can truly take a toll on our bodies. Though this page is too small to get into the specifics of what stress does to our: musculoskeletal (muscles & bones), cardiovascular (heart & blood vessels), respiratory (lungs/breathing rates), endocrine (hormones, specifically ‘stress hormones’), gastrointestinal (the long passage from our mouth to our anus where food moves through), nervous system (brain & spinal cord), or the male and female reproductive systems – it is important to highlight that so much of the research on suspected “food issues, sensitivities, or intolerances” is not food itself but rather identifying the underlying cause, or any hidden sources of stress in an individual’s life (I would know, I was once in the hospital for this). From here (I spend a lot of time with my clients sometimes), we can address ways to cope and manage with the stress, and yes, sometimes looking at some (very limited list) of trigger foods.

The change our bodies go through during a time of stress (acute or chronic) will change the way our hormones are fired, and ultimately, the way our fuel (both stored fuel and eaten fuel) is released and used during these times. Before jumping up and thinking that it’s become something you are eating, or have been able to eat your whole life and now cannot tolerate as well, consider looking at how your life may have changed, or whether or not you have been able to take the “You Time” that we each deserve to include within our week somehow. As we approach the time of year when we have the opportunity to step outside and breathe in some fresh air, make a list for yourself of how you will manage stress and whether or not you may need to speak to someone to help you on that path.