Therefore, understanding the underlying factors that impact the digestive system and how to calm the nervous system during those digestive flare-ups may allow individuals to gain higher insight and control over their physical, as well as psychological, health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stress may influence digestive flare-ups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
During periods of stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated; thus, individuals may feel the \u201cfight or flight\u201d<\/a> response that is created. Therefore, instead of the body focusing on its digestive system, it puts its energy into surviving and balancing the current stress response. Which may help explain why the digestive system slows down<\/a>, and individuals may experience symptoms that include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stress may also contribute to digestive flare-ups for individuals who experience IBS. However, these stressors may not always seem intense; they can include poor sleep schedules, anxiety, everyday demands, lack of emotional support and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, prolonged stress<\/a> may lead to slower digestive processing, the gut reacting to greater amounts of triggers and causing overreactions, simply because the nervous system is stuck at a high level of activation. Thus, creating a significant point in understanding how to calm digestive flare-ups, to regulate both the nervous system and the digestive system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Digestion is normally supported and controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system<\/a> because it helps with the \u201crest and digest\u201d process. However, when experiencing stress, the body focuses on the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response, and digestion slows down, which reduces the body’s \u201crest and digest\u201d process. Therefore, it is important to bring the body back to equilibrium rather than staying in the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response during periods of stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To reset and control the body during that response, performing small practices throughout the day can create significant changes in an individual’s stress response and digestive system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These practices may include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the practices may seem simple, research shows they provide support for the body. They promote relaxation to the body’s nervous system and help balance the digestive system, as well as reduce digestive flare-ups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vagal breathing<\/a> focuses on stimulating an individual’s vagus nerve through controlled and slow-paced breathing. The vagus nerve plays a key role in carrying those significant signals to your heart, brain and digestive system within the parasympathetic nervous system. Therefore, research shows that using slow and steady vagal breathing may activate the body’s relaxation response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main vagal breathing exercise may include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Breathing exercises<\/a> may not reduce your overall stress level, but they can help with negative digestive functions and digestive flare-ups caused by stressors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main idea in using grounding techniques<\/a> is to turn the brain’s attention away from stressors, anxious thoughts or emotions, and malaise. This is done through the techniques focusing on the present rather than fixating on the past or future, possibly reducing tension in the nervous system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Grounding techniques include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Practicing grounding techniques for IBS helps individuals progress positively in relaxation methods and provides attention to certain symptoms that may need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To completely calm an overactive gut, one must provide attention to both the nervous and digestive systems simultaneously. This attention and support does not need to be drastic; it can be simple daily habits that progress the body’s relaxation response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These simple daily habits<\/a> may include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every individual’s health and digestive symptoms<\/a> differ. Therefore, different techniques work for different individuals, as digestive symptoms may not be as intense or chronic for every person. It is a significant aspect to not only practice small habits to minimize an overactive gut, but also to visit a healthcare professional, which will allow one to gain more insight and support on their digestive health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, by understanding that the mind-gut connection provides a strong communication line between the nervous and digestive system, it has created positive progress in not solely focusing on digestive relaxation techniques, but it also includes calming down the nervous system simultaneously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stressors may cause digestive flare-ups, overactive and sensitive guts for individuals with IBS and heightened nervous systems. However, using techniques such as nervous system reset relaxation practices, grounding techniques, and simple daily habits that can reduce an overactive gut can support individuals. This resource was written by Dr. Amber Cohen, <\/span>The Cohen Clinic.<\/a><\/p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Digestive flare-ups may feel intense. Symptoms can include cramping, stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea, which can all feel more intense during stressful periods. Although one’s food intake and diet contribute to an individual’s digestive health, we tend to overlook the fact that the nervous system may influence digestive system functions. Research suggests that anxiety […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":64026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[27,83],"class_list":["post-64025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","tag-gut-brain-axis","tag-mind-gut-connection"],"acf":{"article_writer":[8129]},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Mind\u2013Gut-Connection-How-to-Reset-Your-Nervous-System-During-Digestive-Flare-Ups.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"Lillian Lu","author_link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/author\/lillian\/"},"yoast_head":"\n\n
Nervous system rest techniques for the digestive system<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Vagal breathing for digestion <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Grounding techniques for IBS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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e<\/s> four things you see in the present time <\/li>\n\n\n\nHow individuals can calm an overactive gut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Mind%E2%80%93Gut-Connection-Why-Anxiety-Shows-Up-in-Your-Stomach-First___-1-1-1024x461.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\u200b\u200bThe Mind-Gut Connection: Why Anxiety Shows Up in Your Stomach First\u200b\u200b\u200b<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\nThe Mind-Gut Connection: How Mindfulness Helps Manage Chronic Digestive Conditions<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\nReferences <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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