4 ways to help digestion de-stress

Naturopath Charmaine West shares her tips on how to cope with those stressed out tummy symptoms.

So many people I know experience digestive symptoms when they’re stressed. I’ve heard of everything from diarrhoea to constipation, ‘butterflies’ to stomach cramps, nausea to vomiting and plenty of other symptoms in between.

I have to admit – when I’m stressed, I feel it my gut too. I often get the ‘butterflies’ or a nauseous feeling in the stomach, and I either want to eat nothing – or binge on creamy, carb-loaded foods (think spaghetti carbonara or ice-cream – or maybe both!)

So – here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful to cope with those stressed-out tummy symptoms.

1. Skip the caffeine

I know a coffee looks super tempting when you’re trying to cope with no sleep, and a never-ending ‘to do’ list, but it won’t help that burning, churning stressed out digestive system.

2. Try some herbal teas

I’d recommend using herbs that are traditionally used to help soothe the nervous system and relieve stress. My absolute favourite in this type of situation is a beautiful herb called Melissa officinalis or better known by its common name - Lemon Balm.

• Lemon balm has been used traditionally to help to get asleep and relax the mind – two actions that may be very beneficial to help reduce stress, and calm a stressed, over-tight tummy.

Some of my other favourite herbal for relaxation teas are:

• Chamomile
• Passionflower
• Lavender

3. Eat some porridge

Oats have been used traditionally in herbal medicine as a tonic for the nervous system so therefore eating a bowl of porridge may still provide some of those benefits.

4. Try a nice slow-cooked casserole

Meals that are slow-cooked are often easily digested and very nourishing. Consider a slow-cooked beef casserole with veggies, or beans and sweet potato if you’re avoiding meat.