DOES ANXIETY REALLY AFFECT YOUR GUT?

This week's blog is about the connection between anxiety and your digestive system.
Yes ... hmmm ... I hear you say. "But Pip, how does my anxiety level really affect my gut?"
There are two types of people ... which one are you?
Some people say they eat more when they are anxious or stressed.
Some people say they can't eat when they are anxious or stressed.
Either way your digestive system is getting affected by your emotions.
Right? 
So, how do you notice that your gut is being negatively affected?
You may feel bloated.
You may feel gassy.
You may feel churned up.
You may feel pain.
You may feel a heavy weight.
And how do you deal with these symptoms?
Eat more.
Take a digestive pill or liquid.
Take a pain reliever.
Drink alcohol.
Smoke.
Then how do you feel? 
Usually it is a temporary fix and you have to keep repeating the masking of the symptoms behaviour. 
It's not very healthy right?
I'd like to suggest a couple of ways to help you that work really well.
They are healthy, non-addictive and fun.
1. Meditation 
and 
2. Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture.

Meditation ... has been used for thousands of years to calm the mind, ease anxiety, relieve pain and bring peace to the body. There are many different ways to meditate.
You can sit in the garden and watch the birds.
You can vacuum your floor while listening to calming music.
You can lie on your yoga mat or your bed and breath deeply.
You can swim laps and count your strokes.
You can chant 'om' or 'shanti shanti shanti'.
You can even keep your eyes open and watch the waves, a candle flame or the clouds rolling by.
How ever you choose to do it, doesn't matter. It is about giving yourself time to rest. A moment to reset. Space to breath. 
We DO entirely too much on a daily basis. 
It's time to BE more. 
Meditation has now been proven to reduce heart attacks, blood pressure, headaches, breathing issues, digestive concerns and much more ... 

If you combine your meditation practise with Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture the benefits are compounded.
Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back thousands of years and is a system of primary health care that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and remedial massage.

The primary feature of Chinese medicine is the premise that good health relies on the restoration and maintenance of harmony, balance and order to the individual. 
Acupuncture can be traced back over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest health care systems in the world. Today, acupuncture supports the treatment of a wide number of conditions.Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile, single use, disposable needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s energy pathways (meridians) to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of energy, or Qi, through the body.

So, a combination of meditation and Chinese medicine could be the perfect recipe to bring your digestive system (and the rest of your body, mind and spirit) back into balance. 

If you want to try meditation and/or Chinese medicine, call me for a consultation and we will discuss what the perfect combo is for you.
I look forward to seeing you soon. 
Blessings
Pip 

Check out Safflower Chinese Medicine Dispensary and Clinic in Newhaven. Brigitte and the team will look after you with great care and professionalism. Website: http://safflowerclinic.com.au/