Words: Annia Baron

“I hate thinking about it, yet it con­sumes every hour of my day. I’ve taken the prescribed medication, followed recommended treatments, and although the tests always come back negative, the discomfort I feel in my gut remains inconsistent and unpredictable. It’s caused me so much anxiety over the years, and lately I’m finding it harder to manage. Some days I don’t want to leave the house. I’m fed up with this and don’t know what else to do.”

Experiences like these are common. Approximately 50% of Australians endure gut health problems every year, and one in five will suffer conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Gut imbalances negatively affect the produc­tion of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, vital for our mental and emotional wellbeing. In addition, inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can leak toxins into the bloodstream, which can further impact mood regulation and cause issues with our cognitive functioning such as concentration and brain fog. But something about my client’s story didn’t make sense. She was doing all the right things in terms of following medical advice, balancing a healthy diet and exercise, getting good quality sleep, and practising relaxation tools and meditations regularly, but it didn’t work. Nothing seemed to eradicate her discomfort.

When I suggested we explore a somatic practice which involved placing the palm of her hand onto her belly, she appeared hesitant. “That feels icky,” she expressed before adding, “I hate my stomach.”

I shared a tale with my client, about a demon who walked into a palace while the king was away. This monster was so ugly, smelled worse than rotten eggs, and the words that spilled out of his mouth were horrifying. The guards were so shocked, they froze in terror, and so the beast was able to walk right through the gates. “Get out of here! You don’t belong here”, they shouted, but with every angry word, the demon grew a few inches taller and looked even uglier. Swords were drawn and daggers were thrown, and again, the demon became more hideous and fouler in smell. When the king returned, he was totally flabbergasted. He had never seen such a repulsive creature before. But the king was wise, he knew what to do. “Wel­come” he said to the demon. “Has any­one gotten you a drink yet or something to eat? The guards caught on and joined in, even asking the demon if he would like a cup of tea, “We have Darjeeling, English breakfast, and earl grey. Or do you prefer a nice peppermint? It’s good for your health.” With those few kind gestures, the demon shrunk a few inches. He appeared less smelly and vulgar. Another guard even gave the demon a foot massage and tended to his scaly neck. “Mmm, that felt nice,” thought the monster. Each time the demon received an act of kindness, he diminished in size and seemed less offensive. The king and his men kept at it, showering the demon with loving attention until “POOF!!!”, it vanished and was never to be seen again.

I offered my client these thoughts, “Your pain and discomfort are valid. I believe you are suffering a great deal and it’s normal for you to have anger towards your belly. Mentally, you’re ticking all the right boxes and you’re doing the hard work to make it go away. But what if your stomach has been listening to your thoughts and feelings, and senses your resentment towards it? It may be harder for your stomach to do the work necessary to change if it isn’t feeling empowered to do so. Perhaps by reach­ing out your hand, and simply acknowl­edging a shared desire for reconciliation, this could open up a new connection between you both.”

She took a slow breath in and out, nodded her head, and slowly placed her palm on her abdomen.

“Wonderful. Hard part’s over,” I said with a smile.

“Now, let’s begin.”

Did you know that over 90% of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, is produced in the gut? It makes sense that our gut has been referred to as the “second brain” because it has its own nervous system (enteric NS) with over 100 billion nerve cells. Walnuts contain the highest level of plant-based serotonin. Banana, pineap­ple, kiwifruit, tomatoes and plums are also excellent sources.

Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychol­ogist & Mindset Coach. Want to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com