Remember a time when you were truly relaxed. Perhaps you sipped a cup of tea slowly on a cold morning or took a leisurely walk with your cute dog. Perhaps you chatted with a dear friend or got lost in a good book as you basked in the sun's warmth. Try to recall how you felt, not only mentally and emotionally but physically as well. How was your heart rate? Your breathing?
Now contrast that with a time you were stressed. How did you feel then? Were your muscles tense? Your thoughts scattered? Your appetite intensified, or maybe non-existent?
You know the difference between being in a stress response versus a relaxation response. You've felt both many times before. But why does that matter?
There's all kinds of scientific proof showing the damaging effects of stress; even low-level stress can cause significant problems. You've likely experienced the results of having your sympathetic nervous system being activated in a stress response - symptoms like an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, headaches, racing thoughts, or a wonky appetite, to name a few.
But have you ever considered what impact stress might have on your digestion? Does any of this sound familiar?
You're in a big hurry and scarf down your lunch. A short time later, you have heartburn or abdominal cramping.
You're nervous about an uncomfortable conversation you need to have. After eating your next meal, you find yourself belching or having gas or digestive pain.
Your kids are stressing you out, and you dive head first into a bag of chips or cookies.
These situations can result from the hormones released when our body is in a stress response - hormones like adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, and insulin.
So, what does slowing down have to do with this? Slowing down can trigger a relaxation response and activate our parasympathetic nervous system. In that relaxation response, not only is our digestive system primed to perform optimally, but there are great benefits for all our body's systems.
Ok, good info, but how can I trigger a relaxation response? I can't just move through life like a snail.
It's easier than you may think. Breathe. Nice and slow.
There are other ways, but the easiest and most accessible way is to take slow, deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Even one can feel like magic. Try a few, and you may feel like a new person.
If researching is your jam, dive into the science behind this. The fact is, though, that you won't need science to prove it to you. You'll have all the proof you need after a few slow counts of eight - inhale for four, exhale for four.
Try it and see.
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