You know the feeling – the butterflies in your belly when you’re nervous, the loss of appetite when you’re mad, the pit in your stomach when something doesn’t feel quite right.
It turns out that our “gut instincts” are just that! The gut is home to what researchers call the enteric nervous system. This is a massive nervous network that communicates and interacts closely with the brain. It has such an impact on our overall nervous system and health that the gut has been dubbed the “second brain.”
With such a strong connection to our mental health, it’s no wonder that what’s happening in our gut can influence what we experience in our minds. Let’s take a closer look at the impacts of the gut-brain connection and how we can use it to our advantage to relieve symptoms of anxiety.
What Does the Gut Have to Do with Anxiety?
Let’s first consider the simple link of the brain and digestion. When you think of your favorite food, your mouth starts to water and, while you may not feel it, your stomach also starts to prepare its enzymatic juices. The simple thought of food in your brain triggers your digestive system to prepare for a meal.
The same communication takes place with mental health triggers. Being over-stressed, anxious, angry, or sleepless can trigger issues in the gut such as poor digestion or pain. On the other hand, when we have poor nutrition and lackluster gut health, our brain suffers. This makes us more susceptible to issues like anxiety and depression.
3 Gut Health Tips to Relieve Anxiety Symptoms
Focus on a healthy gut microbiome. The first step towards a healthier gut and less anxiety is healing the gut microbiome – a vast community of microbiota (bacteria, fungi, and other particles) that live in our digestive system. Despite its “tiny” name, the microbiome plays a huge role in our overall wellbeing by influencing our digestion, immunity, and brain health. To improve the health of your gut microbiome, eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as pre- and probiotics. Some great foods to add to your diet are miso, kefir, kimchi, and flaxseeds.
Make time for mental self-care. Boosting gut health addresses an extremely important aspect of holistic anxiety relief, but it’s just one part of the equation. The next step is to address the brain by making mental self-care a daily habit. Mindfulness and meditation offer a simple start for those experiencing stress, overwhelm, burn-out, and anxiety. Exercise has been proven to be more than just a way to stay trim – it is a certified natural anti-depressant and anti-anxiety activity. Being creative, journaling, listening to music, or even reading a book can offer healthy ways to calm your mind.
3. Relieve anxiety from the inside out with colon hydrotherapy. When you think of treatments for anxiety, colon hydrotherapy may not top your list. Well, we’d like to change that! A colon hydrotherapy session clears out old waste and toxins from your body, helping you to literally and figuratively “unload.” After a session, the physical stress on your body plummets and the enteric nervous system relaxes. So, what should you expect after your colon hydrotherapy session? A refreshed body, mind, and soul.
Find Anxiety Relief at Coastal Colon Hydrotherapy
If you are suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression, we’re here to help. At Coastal Colon Hydrotherapy, we are Del Mar’s experts in whole-body healing through the amazing potential of colonics and lymphatic massage. Call us today to take the first step towards healing your gut and finding inner peace!