The Missing Link in Gut Healing: How Rebalancing Your Nervous System Creates Safety in the Body
Feeling stuck in your gut healing journey?
You’re eating well, avoiding trigger foods, taking the supplements...
But the bloating, fatigue and discomfort just keep coming back.
I’ve been there, and I realised that I was missing one huge piece of the puzzle.
My nervous system was stuck in survival mode.
And until I addressed that, my gut simply couldn’t heal.
“You can’t heal in a body that feels unsafe.”
Why Your Nervous System Matters for Gut Health
Your gut and brain are in constant communication via the vagus nerve.
When you’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, your body shifts into 'fight or flight' and digestion takes a back seat.
That means:
Slower transit time (leading to bloating or constipation).
Poor nutrient absorption.
Heightened sensitivity to food.
More inflammation.
Disrupted gut bacteria.
Your body doesn’t care about digesting lunch if it thinks you’re in danger.
This can happen even if the ‘danger’ is just your full calendar, to-do lists, or racing mind.
“Your gut won’t relax if your nervous system is always on high alert.”
How to Tell If Your Nervous System Is Dysregulated
You might be experiencing:
Frequent bloating or gut flares without a clear trigger.
Anxiety, tension, or racing thoughts throughout the day.
Sleep issues or waking up already wired.
A hard time relaxing, even when things are 'fine'.
Emotional overwhelm, burnout, or feeling disconnected.
Sound familiar?
That was me, high functioning on the outside, but totally fried inside.
I couldn't understand why, even though I was doing all the right things, I was still having problems. I was still bloating up, still having urgency to run to the bathroom, and still having loose stool (almost daily!)
It wiped me out and left me feeling exhausted.
My nervous system had been stuck in survival mode, and no amount of healthy food could fix that.
Once I focused on calming my body and creating safety from within, everything began to change.
The urgency and bubbly belly disappeared, I wasn't going to the bathroom 5-10 times per day, and I felt so much lighter within myself.
“I thought I was doing everything right but I was skipping the one thing my body needed most, calm.”
5 Ways to Rebalance Your Nervous System for Gut Healing
Here are some simple, powerful practices that helped me shift out of survival mode:
Start the day with stillness
Before emails or social media, take 5 minutes to ground yourself. Try breathwork, gentle movement, or just sitting with your hand on your heart.Practice box breathing
Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Just 2-3 rounds a few times a day can calm your system fast.Create moments of safety
A cosy blanket. A walk in nature. Your favourite playlist. Your body recognises cues of calm, so give it more of them.Regulate before you react
Before reacting to stress, pause and breathe. When your nervous system is calm, your gut will feel safe enough to function properly.Prioritise true rest
This means not scrolling or multitasking, but allowing yourself to relax completely (this ones really hard, I know). Your gut does its best work when you’re truly relaxed.
You Can’t Heal in a Body That Feels Unsafe
This was the missing piece I didn’t even know I was missing.
Once I focused on calming my nervous system, everything started to change. Not just my digestion, but my mood, energy, hormone balance and mental clarity too.
“Gut healing isn’t just about what you eat, it’s how you feel in your own body.”
Want Support with This?
I’m Jasmin, a gut health coach who works with busy, overwhelmed women who feel bloated, burnt out and stuck in survival mode.
I help them to improve their digestion, restore their energy levels, and feel calm in their bodies again, without extreme diets or complicated routines.
If you found this blog helpful, reply or get in touch. Let's talk about what's been going on and whether coaching could be a good fit for you.
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