The gut is gaining more attention in science, medicine, and the media than ever before. An incredible amount of new and exciting information is being provided by researchers on a regular basis, and some experts are now saying that the gut is the “Second Brain” and is involved in numerous physical, emotional and even neurodegenerative disorders. There also exists a very powerful connection between emotions like stress, anger, sadness and frustration and the gut. This led me to think about the many emotions experienced by professional and family caregivers.
Caring for Mom
I once was a caregiver, too. For 16 years, my mother, Mary Collins, lived with me and my wife, and I naturally became her primary caregiver. Driving her to appointments, the grocery store and many other outings became a normal part of each day. Making sure she took her medications and supplements, ate a healthy diet, got some exercise, and stayed active were all part of my daily routine. There were many times I experienced sadness, stress, and some frustration and realized that these were normal emotions that anyone would experience taking care of an older family member. I also had many issues related to gastrointestinal health that seemed to come out of nowhere. If I knew now what I didn’t know then, I would have taken care of my gut health much better than I did.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Employee Wellness? Checkout my Employee Wellness CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)
The Science Behind Stress and The Gut
This is where things get very interesting. When the brain realizes that there is some type of threat due to an emergency, stress, or a strong emotional reaction, it activates the stress program which directs how our body, including the gastrointestinal tract, will respond. Signaling molecules then jump into action, including endorphins, our body’s natural pain killers, dopamine, which activates desire and motivation, oxytocin, which is the so called “love hormone” and corticotropin-releasing factors, or CRF for short.
When the brain’s stress program is activated, CRF increases dramatically. The hypothalamus then kick starts and is the main production area of the brain for CRF. The release of CRF is then followed by activation of the adrenal gland which starts pumping out cortisol. The amygdala is then triggered as CRF is released from the hypothalamus, which triggers anxiety and fear. It also stimulates the GI tract to empty its contents. It is therefore important to not eat big meals under these stressful conditions. Most people would never put these brain parts, stress, and GI disturbances together, and may engage in stress-eating, which only makes matters worse. This entire brain-gut reaction to stress may last for hours and sometimes in severe cases, years. It is amazing that our thoughts, memories, and anticipation of the near future can powerfully influence how our brain and gut work together. Sometimes, they can produce very uncomfortable and painful results.
Caring for Your Gut
So, what can caregivers do to improve their gut health and reduce stress so that it doesn’t lead to GI problems? First, be aware of your gut health. Are you currently having any gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome or unusual bowel behavior? Next, check your stress levels. On a daily basis, how much stress, frustration or drama do you deal with? Do you handle stress well or does it get the best of you? Finally, what are you eating? Remember the old saying “You are what you eat”? It is so very true. There is a connection between some foods and inflammation of the gut. The best thing to do is to eat foods that are anti-inflammatory, like fruits, vegetables, a more plant-based diet, and cut down on processed foods and red meat.
Final Words on Caregiver Stress and Gut Health
As a caregiver, you are doing one of the most compassionate and admirable things anyone can do on this planet. You are caring for others and that is to be greatly admired. But, caring can take a toll on the caregiver and it usually involves certain amounts of stress. Care for yourself like you care for others. Be mindful of your gut, brain, emotions and diet. Staying healthy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and those you care for.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Employee Wellness? Checkout my Employee Wellness CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)