We have all already experienced these stressful situations that impact our digestive system. Abdominal cramps, urge to go to the bathroom, nausea, diarrhea, etc. The effects of stress on our digestive system can be multiple. What to do when it happens to our children during stressful times, like back to school?
• Read also: Back to school, stress and anxiety: how to manage?
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Back to school in September is often synonymous with stress for children, but also for parents who have a billion things to manage.
But stress can be extremely unhealthy, so listen to your body and what kids are going through.
These many changes in a child’s schedule that occur in September can cause stress which in turn leads to digestive disorders such as diarrhea.
Whether your child experiences a little stress in the first few days, great panic during a speaking test or a simple stage fright before asking a question in front of a large group, intestinal repercussions are completely normal.
Stress and Gastrointestinal Health
No matter what the child is experiencing, the brain triggers a dual hormonal response involving catecholamines on the one hand and cortisol on the other. You should know that these two organs are directly connected.
If your child has a sensitive gut these days, take a few minutes to apply these tips and your child will thank you:
- To move : Get the kids running on the way home from school, stopping at the park, or letting them go for a bike ride at the end of the day. It will help greatly!
- To breathe : Discover breathing techniques to allow them to regulate the nervous system. The heart coherence is an example. There are also versions for children.
- spending time outdoors : Get out! The simple fact of being in nature can lower blood cortisol levels. Take advantage of the weekend to get outside with the children and plan outdoor activities for their greatest happiness (and well-being).
- Journaling (or therapeutic writing) : If he is old enough to do so, the child can write every morning, when he wakes up, whatever comes to mind. Putting your concerns in writing helps to create a vacuum and reduce tension.
- Dance and sing : The stimulation of the vagus nerve which connects the intestine to the brain will be immediate and will allow a better control of the stress. Try it, you’ll see!
In addition to containing hundreds of millions of nerve cells, the intestine constantly communicates with the brain. It is often enough to calm the mind first in order to calm the intestine by the band.
These tips will certainly allow you to avoid the famous “Mom, my stomach hurts” that you are used to hearing.
