What Do Gut Feelings Really Mean?
Have you ever had a “gut feeling” or noticed your stomach acting up when you’re stressed? That’s not just a figure of speech—it’s science! The gut isn’t just a digestion machine; it’s a “second brain,” packed with over 100 million neurons that are in constant conversation with your mind. That’s actually more neurons than in your spinal cord or peripheral nerves. This network, called the Enteric Nervous System, directly responds to your emotions, especially happiness, sadness, anger, or anxiety.
Why Stress Changes Everything—From Digestion to Mood
When stress or anxiety strikes, your gut generates inflammation and acidity, making it harder to absorb nutrients and more prone to discomfort or disease. In fact, Harvard research shows that stomach distress can cause or result from emotional stress. That’s why managing stress is so important—not just for your mind, but for your gut!
Great tools for relief? Exercise, music, creative hobbies, nature, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and even talking to a counselor can all help calm your gut’s stress signals.
Nutrition and Gut Health—The Ultimate Mood Swing
Science is making it clear: what you eat truly impacts how you feel, think, and function. Diets high in processed carbs and sugars (think bread, pasta, cookies, sodas, alcohol) can trigger inflammation in the gut, tamper with your good bacteria, and make your mood and cravings worse. That’s why healthy fats, lean proteins, veggies, and fermented foods (like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir) are so valuable for brain health and mood.
Foods to avoid: Sugar, artificial sweeteners, gluten, alcohol
Foods to savor: Organic fiber-rich veggies, fermented foods, probiotic supplements, grass-fed meats, wild fish, free-range eggs, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados.
Mindset—Train Your Brain, Nourish Your Gut
Unhealthy food cravings? Ask before you reach:
- Am I stressed out right now?
- Am I getting enough sleep?
- Am I drinking enough water?
Stress raises cortisol, encouraging cravings for sugar and carbs. Too little sleep increases the hunger hormone (ghrelin) and lowers the “I’m full” signal (leptin). Dehydration disguises itself as hunger. Instead of snacking, try a glass of water, a quick walk, breathing exercise, or creative project—watch how your brain and gut respond!
Affirmations and visualization techniques can retrain your brain to crave what fuels you best. “I am healthy…I eat healthy and I am fit.” When cravings hit, try visualization, affirmations, and positive distractions.
Everyone is capable of breaking food patterns, rebalancing their gut, and feeling happier in body and mind. Here’s to a happy gut—and a happy life!
Want more practical guidance on holistic nutrition and gut health?
Explore:
Holistic Nutrition & Healthy Weight Program
https://www.solcorefitness.com/holistic-nutrition-weight-loss-program-santa-fe/
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I appreciate the reminder to eat fermented foods and how much I need to get off sugar! Thank you Ekemba.
Our Pleasure Christy! Just make small improvements every day and in no time you will have a handful of new beneficial habits.
Hi. Thank you for your kind words. We try hard to provide people with quality information. At this time we are keeping our writing in house. Thank you