We have to change the perception of stress, we have to manage stress. Because stress is slowing down the digestion track, decreases the enzymes and gastric acid, destroys the microbiota, represses the immune system, leads to a leaky gut. So not in vain it is said that stress is the illness of the century. Of course we can add depression.

The corona virus showed us the ‘butterfly effect’. We are all connected. If it wasn’t so, the virus wouldn’t spread that fast. This inter-connectivity is also present in our body systems.

To go back to stress: If we are eating during a stressful moment, our digestion won’t work. We can have two reactions:

1 — One group of people is high serotonergic. The message they hear is ‘I am understress. I need food, it’s urgent.’ So the attack on chocolate, sugar starts Here the survival instinct is dominant.

2 — The other group is high dopaminergic. Here the message they hear is ‘I am under stress, my digestion is not working. I cannot eat.’ These people cannot eat under stressful conditions, they feel choked up. This reaction is the preferred one by the way, not eating when having stress is the best.

 If we listen to our bodies’ signals, if we understand them right and act according to them, we will have a more satisfied relationship with our wholeness. We will be fed spiritually also, which makes us eat less physical food.

Source for the medical information: Functional Medicine Life Coaching training notes.