When it comes to nutrition, much of what we learn focuses on what foods we should eat to feel better, reduce symptoms, or maintain a healthy lifestyle. But here’s the thing: every person reacts to food differently. And without understanding whether your body is actually processing and absorbing the foods you eat, you may be wasting your time trying to eat all the “right” foods. The real question is—how do you know if your body is in the right state to process and absorb nutrients effectively? In this blog, we’ll explore how stress, overwhelm, and anxiety around food can impact digestion, and I’ll walk you through simple steps to help you find relief.

The Stress-Response Cycle and Its Impact on Food

Food does play a significant role in how we feel, but the truth is, choosing the right foods can be stressful, especially when you’re already dealing with anxiety or overwhelm. Stress around food is a common issue, and it can create a vicious cycle. Here’s the kicker: when we are stressed or anxious, our bodies enter what’s called the “fight or flight” state. In this state, your body is prioritizing survival over digestion, which means you may not be absorbing nutrients as well as you could be. Instead of breaking down and processing food efficiently, your body may be sending you false signals, like bloating, discomfort, or fatigue.

This is why no matter how healthy the food is, if your body isn’t in the right state to digest and absorb it, it may just cause more stress and make you feel worse.

Simple Steps to Activate the 'Rest and Digest' StateNow, I know this all sounds overwhelming, but there’s good news—there are simple steps you can take to reduce the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm around food. When you understand how your nervous system works, you can better control when to activate the “rest and digest” state (also known as the parasympathetic nervous system). This is the state where your body is relaxed and ready to properly process and absorb nutrients from food.

3 simple steps you can take to reduce anxiety and stress around food

1. Create a Calm Eating Environment: When you sit down to eat, aim to do so in a calm and quiet space with minimal distractions. Turn off the TV, put down your phone, and allow yourself to be present with the food in front of you. This small act of mindfulness can help signal to your body that it’s time to relax and digest.

   
   

2. Take Brief Moments to Trigger Your Rest and Digest System: Just before a meal, take a short break to help activate your “rest and digest” state. This can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths, stretching, or practicing some light meditation. To help you with this, I’ve created a guide on How to Eat with Less Stress that provides easy-to-follow steps to incorporate into your daily routine. You can download it for free at the bottom of this page and start implementing these techniques right away.

   
   

3. Mindful Eating Tip: Take a moment to pause during your meal or snack and check in with yourself. Ask yourself if you're feeling hungry or full. Based on how you feel, you can either continue eating or stop and save the rest for later. If you're unsure about your hunger level, take a few minutes to relax, then check in again to see if your feelings have shifted. For more detailed, step by step instructions on how to do this, download my guide How to Eat with Less Stress at the bottom of this page.

Understanding the Two Main Nervous System States

Our body operates in two primary nervous system states: the fight or flight state and the rest and digest state. The fight or flight state is designed for action—when you’re in this state, your body is getting ready to protect itself. But when it comes to food, this state is not ideal. Digestion, absorption, and nutrient breakdown aren’t priorities when your body is in a state of “survival mode.”

On the flip side, the rest and digest state is where your body is calm and ready to properly digest and absorb nutrients. It’s when your body feels safe, relaxed, and able to process what you eat effectively. If you’re constantly stuck in the fight or flight state—whether due to stress, anxiety, or overwhelm—you’ll never give your body the chance to properly absorb the nutrients it needs. This can lead to digestive issues, fatigue, and feelings of discomfort, even if you’re eating the "right" foods.

The key here is recognizing the role your nervous system plays in your relationship with food. If you can consistently activate the rest and digest state, you’ll create a much smoother and healthier experience around eating.

Take the First Step Today

Now is the perfect time to support your body in the way it was meant to thrive. It’s possible to shift away from the stress and anxiety that affects your relationship with food. Picture yourself enjoying meals without worry or discomfort afterward, feeling calm and confident as your body absorbs the nutrients it needs. You deserve to experience that sense of ease and well-being.

Discover How You Can Remove Stress & Anxiety Around Food in a Few Simple Steps

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