Psalms 102 vs. 2 (BSB)
My heart is afflicted and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.
Have you ever noticed that your mood often affects your stomach? There is a neurotransmitter found in our body called Serotonin. It contributes to you feeling happy and in an overall good atmosphere. It also helps with your memory and learning. Serotonin is not only found in the central nervous system; 90-95 % is located in your gut, which is known as your enteric nervous system. This means changes in your serotonin levels do not just affect your brain; it also affects your stomach.
When you are under stress, anxiety, depression or afraid you tend to have to go to the bathroom more while others may become constipated. Anxiety, depression, fearful and stress are conditions of the brain that are triggers for those who suffer from indigestion, constipation, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Besides talking to your Doctor about your anxiety and depression, here are a few things that you can do to boost your mood and lessen the symptoms you may be experiencing.
- Sunlight or light therapy triggers the brain to release serotonin, which can assist in balancing your mood.
- Exercise triggers the release of endorphins which is a happy hormone and decreases adrenaline which is a stress hormone.
- Diet, eating a high fiber diet is connected to gut health which in turns helps balance your serotonin levels since more than 90% of serotonin is found there.
Everything about our body is connected. Our hormones and neurotransmitters are always in touch with every reaction that occurs — responding not just to things that are happening within our body but things that trigger us from the outside, while there are some things that have been passed down to us through our DNA, and it would appear that we have no control over them.
We still have within our power the ability to make choices about our lifestyle that can lessen or alleviate many of the negative symptoms we experience as a result of things that may happen to us from just everyday living.
