26. The Worrier’s Gut: How Stress Hijacks Digestion — and How to Calm It

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Let’s Talk Sht*, Lisa Garrett opens up about a truth she’s seen over and over again: every gut issue has a worrier attached to it. From IBS and heartburn to the classic “nervous stomach,” Lisa explains why people who internalize stress often feel it most intensely in their gut.She breaks down how the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) can dominate your body for weeks, months, or even years — leading to sleep problems, stomach aches, chewing or tapping habits, loss of appetite, weight fluctuations, and nonstop internal buzzing.Lisa shares her personal experience navigating her own sympathetic overdrive after her beloved German Shepherd Leo’s recent cancer diagnosis, and how that stress immediately impacted her digestion, sleep, and appetite. She then walks listeners through practical, grounded tools for calming the nervous system, supporting gut health, and bringing the body back into “rest and digest.”This episode is honest, vulnerable, and full of actionable wisdom for anyone who feels stuck in worry or overwhelmed by their own body’s stress response.KEY MOMENTS01:04 – Why every gut issue is tied to worry and emotional overload04:28 – Nervous system dysregulation: tapping, chewing, insomnia, and hyper-alertness06:52 – Lisa opens up about Leo’s cancer diagnosis and her own sympathetic overdrive09:20 – How the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems shape digestion11:46 – Tools for down-regulating stress: movement, morning nourishment, prayer, and gratitudeFREE GUT ANALYSIS CALL🎁 Schedule your free gut analysis call with me!CONNECT WITH LISA📱 Instagram: @lisagarrettnutrition🌐 Website: https://www.lisagarrettnutrition.com/SUPPORT LET’S TALK SH*T✨ Love what you’re hearing? Please subscribe, rate, and review Let’s Talk Sh*t! Your support helps spread the light to more listeners.👉 Share this episode with a friend or tag it in your IG stories. Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram @lisagarrettnutrition for more inspiration.