According to functional medicine expert, Will Cole sometimes the state of your emotional health can manifest through your body and present itself through inflammation. Things like anxiety, shame and trauma are major factors and can, apparently, have the same effects as having a diet completely made up of ultra-processed foods, even when that is not the case.
How does emotional inflammation manifest in your body?
If you’re like me and no matter how many greens you incorporate into your diet, you just can’t seem to rid yourself of the extra kilos and feel bloated immediately after consuming even a well-balanced meal. For others, no matter how committed they are to their exercise regimen, they are still unable to reach their goals. If this wellness plateau sounds like you, it can be the result of your emotions.
Causes of emotional inflammation
Trauma
The saying goes, the body never forgets and for a reason, it seems. Many of us have experienced some degree of trauma, but most of us want to forget it so badly that we don’t deal with it and after many years, it becomes unresolved trauma. This is usually when it manifests in the body. Depending on your specific trauma experienced, which for some might require therapy, for others it might be meditation, either way addressing your unresolved trauma might lead to emotional inflammation.
Fight-or-flight states
Many of us remain in fight-or-flight states for extended periods of our lives which leads to chronic stress and most likely result in inflammation in the body. Gastro-linked issues in the body are directly linked to inflammation, particularly illnesses like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Stress causes an interference in how the body digests food, how nutrients are absorbed and how the body secretes waste. In this case, it’s best to start to understand how stress affects you and what your stress triggers are.
Remember, before making any drastic changes to your wellness habits, make sure to consult with your doctor.
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How to decrease cortisol – the stress hormone that causes stubborn belly fat
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