Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a renowned gastroenterologist, discusses the impact of stress on the digestive system and offers five practical ways to protect your gut. Stress triggers the release of hormones that disrupt digestion, weaken the gut barrier, and alter the microbiome, leading to symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and reflux. By understanding this connection, you can take steps to support your gut health during periods of chronic stress.

Bulsiewicz recommends strategies such as maintaining regular meal timings, taking gratitude walks to lower stress hormones, prioritizing sleep for gut repair, using diaphragmatic breathing to activate the vagus nerve, and avoiding stress-triggered food cravings. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reduce digestive symptoms, and strengthen your overall body resilience.