This topic is one in which I have been incredibly curious about throughout my life, and personal digestive issues. I am intrigued by the idea that stress can do a lot more harm than most people expect, wreaking havoc on sometimes-deemed non-essential systems like digestion. I look forward to implementing some of these preventative measures in my own life, and strive to continue promoting a healthy life for the rest of my life!
What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Over the course of the semester, I ran into certain information that contradicted other information I researched on peer-reviewed websites. As this topic is quite complex but widely understudied, I often found myself faced with numerous articles either saying that stress causes digestive issues, while others simply said that it exacerbated digestive issues. As one can expect, stress will wreak havoc on the digestive system, for some people it may cause the issues, in others it will exacerbate them. All in all, adapting constructive ways to deal with life’s stressors is the most important step in ensuring that one maintains a healthy digestive system. Looking at life’s displeasures through a lens of learning from it rather than wallowing in the pain is a takeaway that I hope many who read my blog posts will carry with them through life.
How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry altered my perception of just how impactful stress can be on all the bodily systems, not just digestion. Society has breaded a system in which most people are chronically stressed out because of finances, familiar issues, and work/life balance, leading to a whole host of issues. Despite how difficult things in life may feel, it is important to manage stress in a method that is conducive to good health. It is such a privilege to be able to work, get education, and live life, so why should we continue to wallow in the negative and let the un-important affect us? This entire notion requires most people to go above and beyond what people have previously done in order to manage stress, and prevent it from wreaking havoc on their bodies later on in life.
How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation showed me just how precious health and a functioning digestive system is, something no one should ever take for granted. Additionally, it made me realize that everyone internalizes and handles stress differently. In the future, I plan on finding a happy balance between challenging situations that undoubtedly illicit a healthy amount of stress, and meditative practice that helps me release feelings of angst that might have pent up from the day. After all, if I am given the gift of experience, something that I am incredibly grateful for, I must harness its benefits to the best of my ability. As a result, I will be able feel fulfillment in the process rather than just the end result. This applies to everything in life.
What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
My hope is that this investigation has helped others become aware of how toxic stress can be to the digestive system, and domino affecting all other bodily systems. After all, the goal was never to go through the motions mindlessly, rather sit with and soak up experience mindfully, in a way that constitutes self growth, and a lack of worry. On a global standpoint, I pray that the future generations aren’t held under the same unrealistic standards as we are, as the levels of daily chronic stress have negatively contributed to many aspects of our life, not just poor digestive health.
I hope you’ve learned something from my posts, Ive sincerely enjoyed every single one, rich with research, and my own poetic spin on the articulation of it. I will forever cherish the information I have learned in social responsibility throughout the last 3 years, and for that I am grateful.
Ava Vukovic officially signing off!
Hi Avavukovic , it is interesting going through your blog on how stress negatively affect the digestive system . It will help many to understand the concept of the topic.