Why Do I Feel Sick When I am Anxious? | A Guide to the Anxious Gut - 10 Minutes Guided Meditation

If you've been searching for why do I feel sick when I'm anxious, you're in the right place. That cold, sinking feeling. The anxiety induced nausea and the not in your stomach aren't signs of illness. They are signs of a protective body.

Hi there, I'm Martin, clinical hypnotherapist. This calming anxiety has over 10 million downloads and a career dedicated to emergency medicine. I've helped thousands understand this mind-gut connection. You are safe, your body isn't broken, it's simply in a state of high alert.

Let's take back control of your nervous system and work on the regulation together. To find your quiet place today, somewhere comfy, to relax, where you can sit or lie down where you won't be disturbed and if it's safe, close your eyes. We're going to begin with the vagus nerve stomach reset. Most people with healthy anxiety brace their core which traps the tension in.

Your breathing slowly for 5, sending that breath deep into your belly. Your hold for 5, keeping those abdominal muscles soft and loose and then exhale for 5.

And as you do, imagine your stomach dropping even by a millimeter. Let's do that together now. Ready? In, 2, 3, 4, 5, hold, 2, 3, 4, 5, out, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Did you remember to imagine your belly dropping, to soften and to breathe in to your tummy?

Let's do that again. If you forget, don't worry. Just breathe and unwind... in, 2, 3, 4, 5, whole, 2, 3, 4, 5, exhale, 2, 3, 4, 5, this is somatic grounding by softening the midsection. You are sending a physical signal to your brain that there is no predator, you are not in danger.

You are moving out of the sympathetic arousal and into a state of deep rest and digest.

So with me again my friend, ready to breathe in, right down into your belly and then soften and release.

in 2 3 4 5 hold 2 3 4 5 out 2 3 4 5. You're doing brilliantly, let's do one more round together.

Ready in 2 3 4 5 hold 2 3 4 5 exhale 2 3 4 5 and just relax, just float now.

Timeless and weightless in this moment that you came here today to take back control, tells you're subconscious enough, you are worthy, you'll carry your focus, your understanding will grow.

Now here is the clinical truth behind an anxious stomach pain. When your fight or fight response triggers, your body performs a tactical maneuver called vasoconstriction. It really is a masterpiece of survival. It literally shunts blood away from your digestive tract to power your limbs. That butt of fly sensation and the feeling of nausea after and during panic adjust your digestive organs sitting in standby mode, what's the blood is elsewhere? You are not sick, you are simply diverted as we breathe, real inviting that blood flow back into your core. You can control, you can suppress because truly you have it within you. Now within the beauty of this moment, in your mind's eye visualize a warm golden light at your solar plexus, the center of your anxious tension, feel the warmth spreading outwards, relaxing the stomach warm and settling the nerves. Imagine it cascading then through every fiber of your being, with every out breath, this beautiful warm golden light increases, relax now and within the space you've created visualize these wonderful words repeating them and feeling them. My stomach is a barometer of my safety and right now it is settling into peace. I am not ill, I am responding to a adrenaline and this sensation is already fading.

I release the bracing in my core and trust my body's ability to heal and deeper and deeper, you will allow yourself to release tension, to drift, to a calm, balanced, mindful state, reuniting mind, body and soul in true harmony, relax now deeply and safely and then once more in the beauty of your imagination. My stomach is a barometer of my safety and right now it is settling into peace.

I am not ill, I am responding to a adrenaline and this sensation is already fading.

I release the bracing in my core and trust my body's ability to heal and within this moment of peace. When you first feel that anxiety not rising, do these wonderful three tips, one, the vagus guilt. Take a slow, deliberate swallow of water, it forces your throat to engage the rest in digest switch, two, the heat pad hack, apply warmth to your stomach to physically encourage blood flow back to the area, and three, the soft belly check, throughout the day ask, am I bracing then consciously let it go? You've done brilliantly, if you've tried the quick fix, practice this often, now bring your attention back into the room around you, wiggle your fingers and toes, now take a deep breath and on the exhale stretch out the arms and legs and then open your eyes. I still get those moments, I might be in the car or sat at home or riding my motorbike when I feel panic come on, for no reason I never understand why, but I now breathe into it. We're a human, we are fragile, nobody's perfect so don't try to be, but speak kindly to yourself, you're allowed to feel these emotions, these sensations, but now you have the tools to control them. Thank you, if you need more help, come over to calminganxiety.fm, sign up for the anxiety circuit break-acalls, I've created five guided hypnotherapy sessions to combat panic and anxiety, it's only $67, and they're yours to keep forever, you can download them on your phone for when you need them next. I'm Martin, smile often, spread positivity and above all else, be kind.