Why Stress Shows Up In The Gut

Why Stress Shows Up in the Gut

And how I was reminded of this myself last week

I often talk about the connection between stress and the gut, but last week I was reminded of just how real and powerful that connection is.

As many of you know, we had to say goodbye to our beautiful dog Milly last week. It happened very suddenly and it completely knocked the wind out of me. The house feels different, quieter, and the grief has hit all of us hard.

What I noticed almost immediately was how it affected my body, particularly my gut.

My appetite disappeared.

I felt anxious and unsettled.

That tight knot in the stomach feeling kept appearing.

Waves of overwhelm would come out of nowhere.

And it’s a powerful reminder that our gut and brain are deeply connected.

The Gut–Brain Connection

Your gut and brain are constantly communicating through something called the gut–brain axis. Messages travel between the brain and digestive system through nerves, hormones and chemical signals.

When life feels calm and balanced, digestion tends to run smoothly.

But when we experience stress, grief, anxiety or emotional shock, the body switches into fight or flight mode — a natural survival response.

When that happens, digestion is no longer the body’s priority.

This is why during stressful times you might notice:

• A tight or fluttery stomach

• Bloating or digestive discomfort

• Loss of appetite

• Feeling sick or unsettled

• Digestive changes

• That constant knot in your stomach

I experienced all of those last week.

Your Gut Feels Your Emotions

Another fascinating piece of the puzzle is that around 90% of serotonin, often known as the “feel good” chemical, is produced in the gut.

So when our gut is unsettled, our mood can be affected. And when our emotions are shaken, our digestion often feels it too.

It’s a two-way conversation.

Giving Yourself Grace

In times of grief or stress, the most important thing isn’t pushing harder or expecting yourself to function at full capacity.

Sometimes it’s simply about giving your body a bit more care and understanding.

For me last week that looked like:

• Getting outside for walks even when I didn’t feel like it

• Eating simple nourishing meals when my appetite was low

• Moving my body gently

• Breathing and slowing down when the anxiety rose

Exercise helped me too. One evening I really didn’t feel like teaching a class. I felt low, anxious and exhausted emotionally. But once I got moving and started the session, I felt so much better afterwards.

Movement can be incredibly powerful for both the body and the mind.

Your Body Is Always Communicating

When stress shows up in the gut, it’s not a sign that something is wrong with you.

It’s your body saying:

“Something emotional is happening. I need support.”

Looking after your gut — through nourishing food, movement, rest and reducing stress where possible — supports not just digestion but your whole wellbeing.

And sometimes, in difficult moments, the best thing we can do is be kind to ourselves and take things one step at a time.

Andrea 🤍