The REAL Reason You Gain Weight Over the Holidays
Dec 01, 2024
Since August I have been working to heal my leaky gut. This has been through an adjustment of supplements, careful food combining, longer fasting window, dry brushing, all the “rules.”
But the game-changer for me? It wasn’t what I was eating. It was my state of mind.
Here’s what science tells us about the gratitude-gut connection:
When we are rushing through meals or stressing about holiday gatherings, our body activates what scientist call the “sympathetic nervous system” – better known as our “flight or flight” response. It’s great when you need to run from a tiger, but not so helpful when you’re trying to digest a holiday meal during the holiday season.
During the stress response, your body literally puts digestion on hold. Blood flow gets diverted away from your digestive system, enzyme production drops, and your gut bacteria’s activity decreases.
Plus, inflammation increases throughout your body, and your ability to absorb nutrients takes a nosedive. No wonder we feel bloated and uncomfortable after eating when we are stressed.
But here is the beautiful thing about practicing gratitude – it activates your “parasympathetic nervous system,” or “rest and digest” mode. When you take those moments to pause and feel grateful, your body gets the signal that it’s safe to digest.
In this relaxed state, your digestive juices start flowing freely, your gut bacteria gets busy breaking down your food, inflammation calms down, and your body can properly absorb all those wonderful nutrients from your meal.
It really is as simple as shifting your mindset. It’s a perfect example of the gut-brain connection.
Here are a few simple practices you can do before meals to shift your body and mind into this state:
- Before eating, take three deep breaths
- Name three specific things you are grateful for
- Take a moment to appreciate your food
- Eat slowly and mindfully. Remember digestion starts in the mouth. Chew your food until it is like paste.
Watch your relationship with food transform.
You have an entire month to crush your wellness goal. If you find yourself struggling keep in mind that my next FASTer Way round begins January 6, 2025. I’m here for you.
