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The Pandemic Can Affect the Stomach: Here’s How to Cope

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The COVID-19 pandemic brought a whirlwind into the world. It affected people’s health, shut down businesses, and changed the way the world operates. Somehow, it also managed to creep up on some people’s gut health.

In some cases, COVID-19 stress can upset the stomach. According to a Michigan Medicine gastroenterologist, stress can trigger stronger contractions in a body’s Gastrointestinal tract, which can be painful or uncomfortable. Stress can also cause nausea, change in bowel movements, heartburn, and bloating. If your stomach is feeling stressed, here are some things you can try to ease the discomfort.

Detox Your System

Although juice detoxes might be helpful sometimes, if you’re suffering from extreme discomfort due to gas, bloating, or irregular bowel movements, you might need professional help. Getting hydrotherapy from a wellness colonic clinic in Toronto might do the trick.

Hydrotherapy will improve digestion, relieve constipation, provide gas and bloating relief while increasing energy and supporting weight loss. If the pandemic stress changed your eating habits, leading to changes in your gut health, this Health Canada-approved non-invasive treatment might help you find relief.

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Don’t Eat What Your Stomach Can’t Handle

Sometimes, your stomach isn’t hungry, but your mind is. When you’re experiencing feelings that seem difficult to cope with, your body might start emotional eating. Emotional eating can occur due to stress, anger, fear, or boredom. If the pandemic stress is making you feel like you have got to eat, whether to feel better or distract yourself, you might need to find a different way to cope.

Consuming certain items, such as sugar or oily foods to ease your mind might be affecting your stomach, causing discomfort. Instead of taking the stress away, it is adding more to it. So, try to create an eating schedule and be mindful of what you put into your body. It might help not to have specific items in your home at all.

Stay Physically Active

With the gym closures and the inability to visit crowded areas, skipping exercise might seem like the healthiest option. However, being inactive can cause weight gain and lead to other health problems as well. It might seem difficult to exercise because of pandemic stress, but staying active will positively affect your body and mind.

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Sleep Like a Baby

Sleeping is the most comforting way to ease stomach stress. Although it can be challenging for some people to get a whole night’s sleep, it can help the mind and body. Sleep plays an essential role in body function. Along with providing energy, it also positively affects the digestive system.

According to a functional lifestyle medicine physician with Henry Ford Health System, there is a connection between sleep and gut health. Lack of sleep can cause stress to the gut and affect what people consume. So, adequate sleep can help the stomach.

The stomach is an important component of the body. You might need to put in extra effort to take care of it sometimes. But, when your gut is happy, you are bound to feel better. Say goodbye to pandemic-induced stomach stress by taking a few steps towards comfort.

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