Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach before a big presentation? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that during a particularly hectic week at work, your digestion feels off, no matter how many salads you eat.
This isn’t a coincidence. It’s the Gut-Brain axis in action.
As a Nutrition and Wellness coach, I often see clients doing everything that’s right on paper like: tracking macros, eating whole grains, and staying hydrating. Yet they still feel bloated, sluggish, or unsatisfied. Often, the missing link isn’t on their plate; it’s in their nervous system.
The Science: Rest & Digest vs. Fight or Flight
Our bodies have two main settings for the nervous system:
1. Sympathetic (Fight or Flight): Designed for survival. When you’re stressed, your body diverts energy away from non-essential functions like digestion and sends it to your limbs so you can run or fight.
2. Parasympathetic (Rest and Digest): This is where the magic happens. In this state, your body produces digestive enzymes, moves food efficiently through the gut, and absorbs nutrients effectively.
The Problem: In our modern world, we are often stuck in a low-grade Fight or Flight mode. When you eat while stressed, scrolling through emails or rushing out the door, your body physically cannot prioritize breaking down that healthy meal.
How Stress Alters Your Nutrition
When chronic stress takes the wheel, several things happen inside:
Reduced Nutrient Absorption: Stress can decrease blood flow to the digestive tract, meaning you aren’t getting the full benefit of the vitamins and minerals you’re consuming.
Inflammation: High cortisol (the stress hormone) can irritate the gut lining, potentially leading to bloating and sensitivities.
• The Speed of Digestion: Stress can either slow things down leading to constipation or speed them up too much (leading to malabsorption).
The Solution: Meditation as a Digestive Aid
This is where the Inside Out approach becomes your secret weapon. You don’t need an hour of silence to fix your digestion; you just need to signal to your brain that you are safe.
The Mindful Minute Practice:
Before your next meal, try this:
1. Sit down (don’t eat standing up!).
2. Take three deep, belly breaths. Exhale longer than you inhale.
3. Look at your food and acknowledge the colors and smells.
This simple act of mindfulness flips the switch from Sympathetic to Parasympathetic. You aren’t just eating; you’re nourishing.
Nourishing nutrition
Holistic health
Meditation & mindfulness
lifestyle habits
Inside Out Wellbeing 