Do This One Thing to Improve Digestion

It’s time to sit down and eat breakfast…. 

But you’re stressed about the day ahead, checking your phone while mindlessly swallowing your food without really even chewing it.  

Do you think your body is prepared to digest the meal that you just consumed?

In other words: 

Are you pairing your nervous system to the task you want to perform? 

This is called Autonomic Pairing – when our nervous system function and blood flow work together to accomplish the task at hand.

AUTONOMIC PAIRING FOR BEGINNERS

One of the most important systems in our body is the autonomic nervous system. 

The autonomic nervous system is currently regulating virtually every function in your body:

• Your heart rate 
• Your blood flow 
• Where that blood is going
• How many breaths you’re taking per minute
• How you’re digesting your food 

Basically, where function is going in the body is being determined automatically – it is happening passively for you right now and throughout your entire life.

When we’re in a state of fight or flight (which is what happens when we’re under acute stress) we don’t send blood to the digestive system – we send it to the arms and legs in preparation to run away!  

This is why many people who eat under stress will develop chronic digestive distress because they’re not sending blood flow where they want to send function. 

Only 5% of blood flow is sent to the liver and kidneys when you are stressed out, compared to 50% when you are in a state of rest! 

Whether the stress is perceived or actual, it needs to be addressed!

What we need to do is get on the opposite side of the fence – into a parasympathetic state.

The parasympathetic nervous system is what lowers our blood pressure and heart rate and sends blood flow to our digestive system. 

If we’re going to digest a meal, we need to be in a parasympathetic state. 

In the scenario above, you would be eating in a stressed-out, sympathetic state – fight or flight mode.

Your chemistry, physiology, heart rate, and blood flow would be much more aligned with that of a marathon runner, not someone who wants to get their digestive system working well!  

If we’re going to digest our meal, we want our internal systems to be sending blood and function to optimize the digestion of that meal.

If there is a mismatch between what we want our body to do and what we’re telling our body to do – there’s a problem! 

You cannot thrive under stress – it is physiologically impossible!

HOW CAN I GET INTO A PARASYMPATHETIC STATE? 

A simple way to get into a parasympathetic state is to practice deep breathing… doesn’t get any easier than that! 

Another thing that helps stimulate the parasympathetic system is chanting and humming – this creates a mechanical vibration of your vagus nerve (the nerve that helps to control your parasympathetic nervous system). 

Sometimes you don’t even have to change WHAT you’re eating if you change HOW you’re eating.

Even a healthy meal will remain improperly digested if we don’t send blood to the digestive system when we’re trying to have that meal. 

Frustrated clients often come to us saying that they’ve tried everything to help with their poor sleep, poor digestion, high blood pressure, high heart rate, you name it – all of which are to be expected if the person is living in a constantly stressed state!  

Their stress causes their blood to flow away from their trunk organs (liver, kidneys, bowels, etc…) causing the organs not to work at optimum levels. 

And where do most diseases start? – in those very organs!

So, one of the questions we ask our clients is:

 HOW are you eating? 

Before you eat a meal, take several slow, deep breaths. Relax. Be thankful. Pair your nervous system with the task that you’re trying to perform. 

Slowing down to a relaxed state where blood flow is optimized and being sent to those organs so that they can function the way they were designed to function and help you digest your meal.

This will change your life!

Here’s an example from one of our wonderful clients on how their digestive issues were resolved because they took control of their own future by making strategic choices to promote their vitality and unleash their inner healer:

If you’re ready to say “Goodbye!” to the chronic digestive issues – bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, discomfort after meals -that have been holding you back for years…

If you’re ready to say “YES – I want to feel good again!” so that you can be present with your family and live a longer, more fulfilled, and purpose-driven life… 

Then I invite you to take action TODAY and fill out an Appointment Application to find out if The Living Proof method is right for you! 

Fill Out The Living Proof Application

Author: Dipa Chauhan

Dipa Chauhan is a certified R Ph, CFMP, FLT Therapist, Functional and Lifestyle Medicine Provider. 

Dipa’s love for cooking and helping people led to the creation of the "Doctor's Orders: Your Essential Cookbook To A Plant Strong Anti-Inflammatory Diet". Here you can find over 250 healthy and easy recipes, weekly shopping lists and menus. Through this website Dipa has benefited thousands of people all around the world.

Dipa enjoys spending time with her family, especially her son Devin. Dipa also enjoys exercising, walking and other outdoor activities.