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Stress, digestion and heart health are intricately interconnected with each influencing the others in complex ways. The body’s response to stress can have a profound effect on both the digestive system and cardiovascular health, creating a cycle where stress exacerbates digestive problems and heart-related issues and vice versa.

  • Stress is nothing but anxiety.
  • Incessant thinking with fear, insecurity and irritation. The speed of life creates stress.
  • Uncertainty of times coming ahead with lack of sleep.
  • Unhappiness and disappointment with the way things are in life

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Mickey Mehta, Global Holistic Health Guru, explained how stress, digestion and heart are interconnected. 

According to Dr Mehta, matters of the past constantly haunt you and much more. Every such mental and emotional condition is perceived by the mind in its unnatural non-rhythmic state out of sync and flow. Stress begins to kill the enthusiasm of life. Stress restricts and constricts the energy flow of life. The body is always in the fight-flight mode and never in a celebratory, free, liberated mode.
 
Perceiving the threat (stressor) is the initial stage of the stress reaction. Stressors, whether actual or imagined, always have an impact on the brain. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that senses the stressor. The hypothalamus carries out certain tasks in response to threats:

  • 1. Causes the autonomic nerve system (ANS) to become active
  • 2. Releases Corticotropin corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to stimulate the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis and
  • 3. Releases the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin (ADH). The sympathetic (arousal) and parasympathetic (relaxation) nerve systems make up the autonomic nervous system. Visceral functions like breathing, digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, and some essential organs are all governed by the ANS.

In this state, stress hits your gut. Digestive juices get restricted and constricted. Elimination of toxins gets restricted and constricted. Absorption of the food is extremely poor and flatulence, constipation or loose motions become the order of the day.

With that, guess what? Of course, the heart beats and the rhythm of the circulatory system and function suffers. So, with that, you would certainly also feel uneasiness in the heart if the levels of stress go higher and higher. And the more you give attention to it the more it grows, the more you give importance to it the more it grips your life. They are all interrelated.

Exercise assists in letting go of the tension, reducing stress and producing feel-good chemicals like endorphins, and other naturally occurring neurochemicals. Take long and deep breaths and do mini-meditations throughout the workday. This will help to keep stress at bay.

Handling stressful and challenging situations consciously can be a powerful way to enhance well-being. It can give profound benefits to physical, mental and emotional health. With greater self-awareness, resilience and balance one can navigate challenges with grace.

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