Last Updated on November 22, 2023 by Cathy
Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is tough. It’s unpredictable, symptoms come and go, and you never know what tomorrow will bring. It’s hard to feel compassionate toward yourself when your body betrays you.
Nonetheless, you need to get your mind to stop thinking negatively. A positive mindset is not easy. It’s easier to think negative thoughts about yourself than positive thoughts. Thinking negatively about yourself is not good for your brain or your body.
The Gut-Brain Connection
The gut is sensitive to emotions. That’s why when you’re stressed it can give you an upset stomach. Negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and bitterness have a direct effect on the gut.
It’s known as the gut-brain connection.
Therefore, negative thoughts have an impact on the health of your gut. The gastrointestinal (GI) system is closely connected to the brain. – Your thoughts affect your gut. Over time it can weaken the intestinal barrier. This allows bacteria to enter altering the gut microbiome.
When our son was young, every morning he caused us a lot of stress getting him ready for school. No matter how early he got up it was always stressful rushing him out the door to catch the school bus.
This happens on most mornings and it was nerve-racking. It would give both my husband and me an upset stomach to where we felt like we needed to go to the bathroom. Without our son’s knowledge, my husband started calling him “our little laxative.”
Those days are long gone and we can laugh about it now. But, at the time it was stressful and emotionally draining.
Does negative thinking also create food sensitivities?
Is it possible the reason people keep getting more and more food sensitivities is due to stress? I asked my doctor once, she said it was due to more awareness because my inflammation was lower. – That’s possible too.
However, it’s proven negative thoughts slow healing and trigger inflammatory reactions. This can lead to a leaky gut and food sensitivities. – Negative thoughts lead to stress and gut issues.
So… do negative thoughts also create food sensitivities? The answer is – yes. Negative thoughts can cause food sensitivities, leaky gut, and other digestive issues.
Changing your thoughts from negative thoughts to positive ones you could heal quickly. That includes leaky gut, food sensitivities, depression, and pain. Possibly symptoms caused by MS – wouldn’t it be worth trying?
Symptoms of food sensitivities:
- Acne
- Burping
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Gas
- Gut pains
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Irritability
- Nausea
Digestive System
The brain has a direct effect on the digestive system. They’re connected by the vagus nerve which is the “modulator of the brain-gut axis.” The vagus nerve establishes a connection between the brain and the GI system.
“The gut is an important control center of the immune system and the vagus nerve has immunomodulatory properties. As a result, this nerve plays important roles in the relationship between the gut, the brain, and inflammation.” – PubMed
The vagus nerve is an important link between nutrition, neurological, and inflammatory diseases. MS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. If your vagus nerve isn’t working properly it’s hard to digest food or heal your gut. Getting out of the “fight or flight” mode will put you in a state of rest, digestion, and healing.
Heal your vagus nerve through:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Cold showers
- Deep breathing
- Eating a healthy diet
- Intermittent fasting
- Laughter
- Massage
- Mindfulness
- Singing
- Yoga
If your GI system isn’t working it sends signals to the brain. And if your brain is feeling threatened it sends signals to the gut. So your GI issues, like food sensitivities, could be due to anxiety, depression, or stress.
It’s kind of like the chicken or the egg question. Did the GI issues begin due to the negative thoughts or the negative thoughts begin due to the GI issues?
Either way, a stressed-out mind leads to a stressed-out gut.
The Healing Powers of Aromatherapy
I love the smell of fresh-cut grass or the fresh air after it rains, it always triggers good memories. Aromatherapy can also release feel-good hormones benefiting neuroplasticity.
When your brain senses a threat, it activates the vagus nerve. It then activates your “fight or flight” response. When the threat is over the vagus nerve signals your body to shift back to rest, recover, and digest mode. This allows your body to feel calm and safe which then turns on your immune system and digestive system.
But, when your threat level is always high it is keeping you stuck in the “fight or flight.” Stress plays a huge role in MS which can lead to anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, or a flare. Constant stress keeps your stress hormones elevated which increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
Chronic stress causes heart issues, circulation problems, and GI issues, and suppresses the immune system. A study found, that people with MS oftentimes had a stressful event before their first symptom.
Essential oils can help lower your stress/fear response. The smells allow your vagus nerve to help you think and stay calm. Researchers discovered certain essential oils like lavender or bergamot activate the vagus nerve.
Inhaling these oils travels directly to your brain. They immediately reduce the stress response in your brain. Applied to the skin it can cross the blood-brain barrier stimulating the vagus nerve.
Take a deep breath with the essential oils 1-2 inches away from your nose. Hold your breath for a few seconds then exhale out your mouth as if you were warming your hands. I like to keep a bottle of Stress Relief near my computer. Especially when I start feeling stressed due to by internet stalling (it happens a lot).
Any smell you find pleasant can stimulate your vagus nerve. Smells such as chocolate, coffee, homemade cookies, or pine trees. Think about your favorite smells.
Changing Habits
Humans are creatures of habit, they do the same thing over and over. People have the same morning and evening routines, sit in the same spot, and drive the same route. It’s too easy to continue feeding themselves with criticism, judgment, and misery.
I’ve always liked people with a bubbly personality, they seem so happy with no negativity. Negative people are downers and bring everyone around them down. After a while, it’s hard being around them.
You’ll start feeling better when you stop being negative and start being positive. It’s like a weight lifting off your chest. You’ll start looking at the bright side of life instead of it always being doom and gloom.
Realistically it’s impossible to be on the bright side all the time, life happens. However, having a positive mindset will help when times get tough.
Retraining Your Brain
Retraining your brain takes commitment, intention, and time. This isn’t something that will happen overnight. Our brains react quickly to threats, this is the “fight or flight” response.
If a dog was growling and started charging at you, your brain sends a signal for your body to react. Your stress hormones kick into action while your digestive system shuts down. Unfortunately, little stressors like deadlines can trigger this same reaction. This reaction is helpful for short periods but it’s harmful if it continues long-term.
It was once believed that our brains couldn’t change – they’re hardwired. Today, scientists know it’s possible to change the brain. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change through growth and reorganization.
Quick Links To Information In This Post:
Natural Remedies For Gut Health
How To Use Mindfulness To Reduce Stress
The Power Of Positive Thinking For Your Health
Stop Thinking Negative
Having negative thoughts is normal, they help keep you safe from threats. But, constantly thinking negative thoughts can become a habit. When you keep dwelling on the same negative thought you create a neural pathway.
The more you keep thinking this way, the stronger the negative connection becomes. Repetitive actions or thoughts are how habits form. Like breaking any habit, it takes time and commitment.
It’s time to break the negative habit and start thinking positive.
The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS
Unlock the key to a vibrant life with multiple sclerosis by subscribing to my newsletter and gaining exclusive access to ‘The Ultimate Guide to Surviving & Thriving with MS.’ It’s packed with valuable information on natural management strategies and clean health lifestyle practices that you can start today.
Want to remember this health tip? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!
Photos courtesy of: pexels.com, pixabay.com, and storyblocks.com.
Resources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30408639/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859128/#S2title
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260715/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402162546.htm
Stop Thinking Negative
