A Story to Read When Your Stomach Hurts

—How to take care of your stomach to manage stress well—

My stomach feels somewhat heavy.
It's throbbing with pain.
I don't even feel like eating breakfast.

Have you ever sighed and thought, 'Oh, not again...' when you feel like that?

Once you become a working adult, stomach discomfort is often a 'SOS from your heart'.
When busyness, pressure, and stress from human relationships pile up, your 'stomach' is the first thing to scream.

■ Main causes of stomach pain

There isn't just one cause for stomach pain.
Typical patterns include the following.

• Autonomic nervous system imbalance due to stress
  When stress continues, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, leading to excessive secretion of stomach acid. This irritates the stomach lining and causes pain.

• Irregular eating habits
  Skipping breakfast or eating late at night prevents your stomach from getting the rest it needs.

• Excessive intake of caffeine and alcohol
  While coffee and alcohol can have a relaxing effect in moderation, consuming too much irritates the stomach.

■ Ways to relieve stomach pain right now

1. Drink warm beverages slowly

Cold things cool down the stomach and slow its function.
Drink warm water, chamomile tea, or barley tea little by little to warm up your stomach.

2. Use posture and clothing that doesn't constrict your stomach

If your belt or posture puts pressure on your stomach, the pain will increase.
Try not to lean back too much in your chair, and regulate your breathing while keeping your back slightly straight.

3. Regulate your autonomic nervous system with deep breathing

Much of the cause of pain is 'tension'.
Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale long through your mouth.
Even just for one minute, focusing on your breathing will help your body relax.

■ Meal tips: 'Gentle food' to soothe your stomach

• Choose easy-to-digest meals like rice porridge or udon noodles

• Avoid fried foods and irritants (spicy or acidic foods).

• When you eat, chew well and take your time.

And above all,
rather than forcing yourself to eat, it is enough to have "a little of what you can manage."
Until your stomach recovers, try to keep your meals "effortless."

■ Recognizing the "emotional signs" of stomach pain

When your stomach hurts due to stress, it is a sign that your body is telling you to "let it rest a little."
Even if you look for the cause, it may not be something you can solve immediately.
But your body is on your side.
Through the "pain," it is telling you the pace you need right now.

■ A "reset habit" before sleep

When stomach pain persists, try taking five minutes before sleep as a "reset time."

• Dim the lights in your room and take quiet, deep breaths.

• Put away your smartphone and close your eyes.

• Tell yourself, "You did a great job today."

Just doing that will calm your autonomic nervous system and help your stomach function recover more easily.

■ If it still hurts

Using over-the-counter stomach medicine is not a bad thing.
However, please consult a doctor if the stomach pain recurs.
There may be underlying chronic stress or gastritis.

■ In closing

When you have a "stomachache,"
people tend to "endure it."
But rather than ignoring the pain,
it heals faster if you "watch over it gently."

Work and relationships can be taken one step at a time.
First, let's create some "time for your stomach to feel relieved."