Your tummy might be in trouble
Hippocrates, medicine daddy of ancient Greece, is widely attributed with the statement that “all disease begins in the gut.” According to the APA, stress actually can change the bacteria in the gut, and the gut’s microbiome has a direct effect on mood. To put it simply, the gut and the brain are in cahoots, and when you’re feeling stressed, your gastrointestinal system is very likely to suffer the consequences.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests that stomach problems as a result of stress might look like bloating, pain, nausea, and in more severe cases of anxiety, vomiting. Appetite might also be affected, making it harder for some to eat and encouraging others with the proclivity for binging to overeat, which — instead of providing comfort — often only adds to mental distress.
The trouble doesn’t just stop at the tummy, either. An unhappy gut is likely to create an unhappy bowel too. The APA reports that stress can quite literally prevent your body from properly absorbing nutrients which can cause potty problems across the board. If you notice a change in your bathroom habits, like excessive diarrhea or chronic constipation, stress might be to blame. The Mayo Clinic states that an upset stomach from stress might cause mood changes like sadness and depression which often leads to the cessation of your daily exercise routine.
