From the mental as well as the physical, living with the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on every aspect of our lives. We are slowly emerging from under its toxic shadow, but we continue and justly so to be wary of what this virus has brought into our existence.

True, many are cautiously learning to live with the unknown, yet, like an unwanted guest, this virus is always there, hovering just within range, and reminding us of its presence through grief, bewilderment, anxiety and mental health issues. How isolation has wreaked such damage to even the most sound-minded persons.

Even our digestions have taken a direct hit, with people struggling with weight gains or body image issues. According to the University of Michigan health division, your gastrointestinal system may be a victim of COVID-19 stress.

And yet, the beat goes on. A new IPSOS poll conducted on behalf of Sun Life Financial revealed the majority (56%) of Canadians surveyed say the pandemic has been having a negative impact on their mental health. A minority says theres been no impact while a very small group (5%)says their mental state has been positively impacted, which could be considered a silver lining for a small proportion of Canadians.

As for those touched the most by this pandemic, it turns out women (62%) are more likely than men (49%) to say their mental health has been affected, as are those aged 35-54, and 18-34, compared to older Canadians aged 55+. In fact, those under the age of 55 are most likely to say the impact has been the greatest.

Regionally, out of the whole country, Ontarians look to have suffered the most profound negative impact on their mental health.

Our biggest concerns? Isolation continues to lead the charge, followed by worrying over loved ones, monetary fears (unemployment is huge) and ones health. Surprisingly, the survey showed the move towards physical distancing has caused many Canadians to take a good, hard look at their lives and appreciate it more. Presented with a list of 11 possibilities and asked to choose up to three items, two-thirds of Canadians say they have a newfound appreciation for their friends and family, while four in 10 have a greater appreciation for their physical health and their freedom, noted the survey.

Healthwise, our gut is telling us theres a huge problem: Stress and anxiety can trigger more frequent or stronger contractions in the GI tract which some may perceive as uncomfortable or even painful, says gastroenterologist William Chey, a professor of gastroenterology and nutritional sciences at Michigan Medicine (uofmhealth.org). Add to that the overwhelming desire to be comforted by food, especially processed foods high in sugar and fat and you have a recipe for trouble.

When things are uncertain or when were feeling more emotional or stressed, we want to be comforted, says Megan Riehl, a clinical health psychologist specializing in treating patients with gastrointestinal problems. For a lot of us, there are certain foods that are comforting.

Physician-researchers at Nationwide Childrens Hospital recently published their research in PLoS One and the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition to confirm the connection between exposure to stress and colonic inflammation. We are studying the effect stress exposure has on intestinal inflammation and the mechanism of how it is worsened, says Ross Maltz, MD, a clinician-scientist and attending gastroenterologist at Nationwide Childrens. Part of the microbiome is bacteria lining the GI tract. The bacteria break down food and produce many metabolites, which have the ability to communicate with the intestines and immune system, and we believe disruption of this mechanism is contributing to the inflammation seen in inflammatory bowel disease.

According to research from Orthomolecular Nutrition (aor.ca), as we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 situation, we must consider the role stress has taken on our lives: Stress can be lifesaving but when it becomes chronic, it has all sorts of negative impacts both on our physical and mental health, (and) the cause and effect of stress on our bodies can impact on digestion and the bodys ability to absorb food properly as well as essential nutrients. say company officials.

In order to combat stress and improve our digestion, experts at Advanced Orthomolecular Research, recommend you practice stress-management techniques like exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, and socializing (safely!), plus supporting your digestive health by drinking fewer alcoholic beverages, reducing your sugar intake, and eliminating gluten and increasing health-promoting foods such as those rich in probiotics, fibres and enzymes.

Riehl and Chey also recommend eating healthy and sticking as close as possible to the Mediterranean diet. The doctors are suggest creating a schedule for meals and snacks, stay social with online gatherings and your safe circle family and friends and remain present-focused, such as body scanning to release physical tension in target areas like the shoulders, hands and feet.

Right now, as we all experience this world stressor, its so important that we are kind to ourselves and to others, Riehl says.

Go here to read the rest:
Living with the COVID-19 crisis means you have to go with your gut feeling - Toronto Sun