Anxiety is Connected to Your Gut

The gut-brain connection is very real and can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice versa. The gastrointestinal tract (gut) is sensitive to emotion. Anxiety, anger, sadness – all these feelings, and others, can trigger symptoms in the gut.

The brain and gut are intimately connected. A troubled mind sends signals to the gut and a troubled intestine sends signals to the brain. Therefore, intestinal distress can be the cause of anxiety, stress or depression and your mental health is dependent on the well-being of your gut.

But sometimes you can’t escape stress, and in these times you can support your digestive system. Here are some tips for gut-brain support.

1. Take care of your gut with probiotic-full fermented foods and beverages to strengthen not only your digestive system but to also help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Water kefir, milk kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, coconut yogurt and other fermented foods should be added to your diet.

2. Eliminate foods that cause gut distress and provide no nutrition, such as deep-fried foods, sugar-laden soda pop, and the foods you know irritate your stomach or cause allergic reactions.

3. Practice yoga and meditation to calm your brain and your gut.

Choosing to improve the health of your gut is also a choice to improve your mental health.