“Negative people need drama like oxygen. Stay positive, it will take their breath away.” - Unknown
The four pillars of gut health—diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management—are essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy GI tract.
A diet rich in whole, fermented foods and fiber supports a thriving gut microbiome. Regular exercise enhances digestion and overall well-being, while good sleep is crucial for bodily repair and rejuvenation.
However, stress management stands out as a critical factor, especially during high-stress periods. Maybe like a close presidential election?
Recall the tension in the air as election results trickle in, each update causing a collective gasp or sigh as your preferred candidate wins or loses. This is one of many examples that can lead to secondhand stress, much like secondhand smoke.
Just as many children of the 1970s (me included) were often “hotboxed” in cars filled with cigarette smoke, we can find ourselves “hotboxed” by stress from those around us.
For the fortunate readers who were never exposed to “hotboxing”, let me translate my definition.
Hotboxing is a slang term for the act of parental smoking in the front seat of a 1970’s-era Ford Falcon, while their four kids struggled to see out the windows, let alone breathe.
(True story alert! This hotboxing may or may not have been experienced while screaming down a steep hill with no brakes after your Dad changed the brakes and forgot to “bleed the system” to pressurize the brake fluid)
After that flashback, let’s get back to secondhand stress.
I first read about the concept of secondhand stress in a 2015 article by Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan in the Harvard Business Review titled Make Yourself Immune to Secondhand Stress
They write:
“When you see someone yawn, mirror neurons can activate, making you yawn, in turn. Your brain picks up the fatigue response of someone sitting on the other side of the room. But it’s not just smiles and yawns that spread. We can pick up negativity, stress, and uncertainty like secondhand smoke.”
Secondhand stress, like its smoky counterpart, can infiltrate our systems, causing anxiety and impacting our gut health.
Research shows that stress can disrupt the gut-brain axis, leading to digestive issues and a weakened immune system. It’s like inhaling stress particles that wreak havoc on our insides.
Managing positivity and reducing stress can be likened to rolling down the car windows to let out the smoke. By practicing mindfulness, engaging in relaxing activities, and fostering a positive environment, we can mitigate the effects of secondhand stress.
While a diet rich in whole, fermented foods, regular exercise, and good sleep are vital, managing stress—especially in high-pressure situations—is paramount.
Remember, keeping stress at bay is not just about personal well-being; it’s about creating a healthier environment for everyone around us. It’s also about immunizing yourself from the negativity from people around you. That’s no small task in a presidential election year.
So, let’s roll down those windows and let in some fresh, positive air!
Your gut thanks you in advance.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
