05/19/2026
Does stress make your bloat worse? 😣 Try stimulating your vagus nerve instead—it can help calm your gut and your mind.
🧠 IBS is a disorder of the gut-brain connection—your gut and brain aren’t communicating at the right pace, which can lead to , cramping, pain, , or .
😫 Stress doesn’t cause IBS, but it can trigger or worsen symptoms. That’s why supporting your gut-brain connection is such a crucial (and often overlooked) part of IBS management.
🎙️ Tomorrow on the IBS Nutrition Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Ali Navidi from to break down how the nervous system influences gut symptoms—and what you can actually do about it.
🎧 Want the episode link as soon as it drops?
Visit IBSdietitian.com/podcast to subscribe.
✨ What is the vagus nerve?
The vagus nerve is part of your parasympathetic nervous system. It plays a key role in , heart rate, and control. You can’t consciously control it—but you can stimulate it.
Here are 6 ways to do that:
🧘 Deep belly breathing
🛁 Cold showers or solo quiet time
🧘 Meditation
👄 Singing, humming, gargling
🎶 Uplifting music
🤣 Laughter
These simple tools can help calm your nervous system and reduce IBS symptom intensity—often faster than you think.
💬 Hear from Lindsey, a client who learned that isn’t just about food:
“I suffered from bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation… it got so bad I started starving myself from anxiety.
Jessie’s program helped me understand that IBS is more than just food—it’s also about the gut-brain connection.
Once I made lifestyle changes, my symptoms improved, and I finally feel back in control. I wish I signed up sooner.”
✨ Want to hear Lindsey’s full story?
Visit IBSdietitian.com/podcast to get the podcast link or to subscribe and catch tomorrow’s episode with Dr. Navidi.