When the Gut Speaks

There comes a time when the body starts whispering — sometimes through our digestion, energy levels, or mood — asking us to slow down and listen. For many of us, the gut is the first to speak. It tightens when we’re holding stress, softens when we feel safe, and often reflects truths we’ve ignored. I’ve learned that gut health isn’t just about what we eat, but how deeply we listen to what the body is trying to say.

When we treat every signal as a message instead of a problem, something shifts. The gut becomes a guide for where nourishment is needed. This blog was inspired by my own gut healing journey — one that not only transformed me physically, but mentally as well. What followed surprised me.

The Gut as a Messenger

I was in the process of my detox protocol when my stomach signaled, this is too much for me right now, and you need to slow down. When I started the detox, I was in “fix it” mode. I thought I was giving my system all the things it needed to heal. Keep in mind that during this time, my body may have already been feeling stressed.

Although my methods and the foods I was consuming were highly nutrient-dense, I realized it was too much, too fast. At one point, my stomach responded strongly — rather aggressively. I knew I needed to place the detox on hold, regroup, and nurture my gut in a way that wasn’t forceful, but in rhythm.

My gut was probably whispering long before the detox, asking me to slow down, but I overrode it, thinking I knew more than what my body was telling me. Through the healing process, I began noticing even day-to-day responses — feeling drained, tired, or overwhelmed in high-pressure environments that were out of alignment with me. My body was asking for stillness and for support through foods that would help calm it.

I think of the nervous system as a plug or switchboard for the gut — it can turn on or off depending on how the body is responding. When the gut is responding well (switch on), we’re in rest-and-digest mode. When there’s stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, or other challenges, the system shifts into fight-or-flight mode (switch off).

I thought I’d been in tune with my body for a long time — until my gut went into crisis mode. I had read, heard, and studied the gut-brain connection, and I knew that when I was nervous, anxious, or ate something my body didn’t agree with, I felt it in my stomach first. Although I was aware of how my body was responding to stimuli, it wasn’t fully embodied yet. I would immediately go into repair mode instead of rest mode, rather than pausing in stillness to truly listen to what it needed.

My gut healing has been a continued ebb-and-flow process; however, my awareness around it has shifted. Because of this, I’ve seen and felt its healing ability. Instead of approaching healing from ego — trying to wrench it out of the environment it was used to — I listened. It was asking me to slow down and invite foods and nutrients that were gentle, yet healing.

This process created awareness around resolving one issue at a time rather than trying to do everything at once. Macro steps became micro, which then led to bigger healing responses.

Perhaps, explore the stillness and learn to listen when your body speaks.

• What is it asking you to release or nurture?
• What foods or wellness practices are being called in to nourish you?

Notice how, when we override the body’s cues, imbalances can arise.

Nourishment Beyond Food

Healing my gut wasn’t just about diet — it’s about emotional digestion, too. Nourishment includes calm, safe environments, aligned relationships, and rest. If the body is consistently in a fight-or-flight state, it may create a barrier for repair to take place.

Taking a walk, breathing in fresh air, dancing, or being creative are just some of the ways to nourish the body beyond food. Combining internal and external nourishment creates a synergistic response that heals beyond the plate.

The Healing Invitation

I now find myself in a receiving space with my body. Even if something looks like the most logical way to heal, I pause and notice what is coming up for me. This may look like rest or physical activity, or eating simpler meals rather than adding too many high-nutrient foods at once.

For me, I’m hearing: slow, steady, and consistent. There may also be days that thrive on a faster flow. This process is not linear, and being well does not ask us to be perfect — it invites us to show up as we are.

I also invite you to explore what healing means to you and what symptoms arise — not as punishment, but as communication. What are you feeling called to do for nourishment? When we listen, the gut often guides us toward balance and truth.

If you need support tuning into your next step, you’re welcome to book a complimentary Wellness Session with me.

And if you’re feeling called into deeper wellness support — with nutrition and integrative healing woven in — you can also explore my Health Coaching services.