The recognitions that helped me understand my symptoms & shift my approach to healing (Part 2 of 4)
Last week I shared about some former panic-related episodes that presented as gut issues and other physiological symptoms. And I can’t say that I’ve figured it all out yet.
But! I’ve dug a layer deeper. I’ve since uncovered a few other factors and potential solutions—which weren’t as clear when I was stuck in an anxiety hamster wheel.
I say that because I can understand how someone might be reading this and feel that physical symptoms are being dismissed, or misunderstand and think that managing anxiety can cure everything. It likely can’t, although it can certainly help A LOT.
This post I wrote in 2018 shares a doctor’s insights on rushing (another form of stress) and how it can minimize the effects of protocols and supplements, no matter how healthy they are.
So I just want to be clear that, for me, not only understanding but really learning how to embody the gut-brain connection helped me embark on a more well-rounded, genuinely holistic healing process.
Because I was already trying to heal holistically through supplements and protocols, but nothing was proving effective with anxiety steering the ship—and I know others can unfortunately relate.
Voilà—here’s part 2 of 4 on Wellness & Anxiety for Mental Health Awareness Month.
The gut → the brain
If you surf the web, listen to podcasts like Huberman Lab, or follow experts like Aviva Romm and Mark Hyman, you’ll find plenty on how the gut is directly connected to our immune system and overall wellbeing. It’s often referred to as the “second brain.”
When the information we absorb, think, and feel is stressful, it can easily end up in our gut—causing small to big-time imbalance.
In its sympathetic state, our nervous system knows what to do to keep us from danger —like pausing digestion and pumping up heart rate—because who needs to sit down to a nice leisurely meal when you suddenly need to flee from a bear?
When this becomes the body’s default state, you can imagine how tweaked out our insides can get, making our whole physiological experience uncomfortable—because we’re operating as though we need to run from a bear during all waking hours.
Sadly, we also learn to live with these discomforts so well that something drastic—like panic episodes—might have to happen in order to clue us (me) in that something needs to shift.
Think of what happens to a car when you’re constantly slamming on the gas or the breaks, ignoring the check engine light, and not servicing it thoroughly or regularly. At some point, the parts will poop out and the vehicle stops functioning optimally.
The recognitions → the tough truths
Even though I was doing many wellness-related things—which I’ve learned from and which have helped tremendously in other ways—anxiety had unfortunately started running on autopilot, causing a lot of internal malfunctioning.
And even though I was tending to those malfunctions with wellness-related protocols, the ways I approached those protocols was also—shocker—through anxiety, fear, and lack. I must get it “right” in order to be well… This mindset is unfortunately common well beyond wellness, too.
It’s really not the point of wellness to feel like we need to be perfect or constantly fixing everything. It’s not the point to use wellness as an excuse to avoid tending to another part of ourselves that really needs attention.
I noticed that even though I eat in a relatively clean, balanced way, I still felt bloated—and nauseous during panic episodes—so I was constantly blaming food. Always ninja-style scanning for which food is the offender and which choice would be “healthier.”
In some cases, food can be an issue—especially with allergies or specific conditions. Before I could crack that nut, though, I needed to shift some attention toward the anxiety levels I’d assumed were chill because of the yoga and meditation I was doing.
I also knew I couldn’t keep living with these panic-related symptoms. I could no longer lose it (and what often felt like the contents of my stomach) or pause the flow of the moment while on a walk with my partner, in a car with friends, on the bus, in the middle of the night, in the grocery store, or on the way to an appointment.
Those were all moments when panic episodes conveniently popped up—occasionally even putting me out of commission for a day—so I became determined to figure out how to process and regulate more effectively (and compassionately).
Because once we’ve processed emotions and regulated ourselves, clarity can often come more naturally—and maybe that clarity would help me continue digging deeper into the situation if needed.
The path forward → the awareness
The decision to take serious care of the anxiety driving many of these symptoms was also informed by other realizations—some easier to spot than others:
- A gastro doctor’s insight on treating anxiety first (re: Part 1). A tough pill to swallow, but a significant piece of the truth pie. It took a lot of reflection, journaling, meditating, and actively working to shift reactive behaviors.
- Getting clear on anxiety-inducing triggers and thought patterns. Whether food or life-related; whether from childhood or the past week.
- Understanding how I responded to stress physiologically. My gut and fists would clench, heart would race, thoughts would spiral, breath would shorten, etc.
- Noticing what happened before, during, and after the panic episodes. This helped me better understand what triggered them (often spiraling about something specific), and also what helped process and soothe things enough to potentially prevent escalation.
With that intel, I started developing a more personalized wellness toolkit for these recurring anxiety spirals. Because something definitely needed to change.
I feel it’s essential that people cultivate their own unique protocols and healing journeys—but I don’t mind sharing what’s helped me in case it’s useful or sparks insight alongside whatever tools, practices, or treatments others are already exploring.
Disclaimer: I’m a certified holistic health coach, not a doctor. I don’t intend to prescribe anything or tell anyone what they should do to heal, but I’m here to support you along the way.
Onward → reflections
Have you ever struggled with anxiety because of physical symptoms—or experienced physical symptoms that caused anxiety?
What was it like to become more aware of all of it and begin (or recalibrate) your own healing process?
If you’re navigating something similar and are looking for more personalized, compassionate support around it, I offer free assessment coaching calls.
Take good care,
S
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