The Connection Between Heartburn and Stress

Getting your stress under control is essential for your health if you intend to reduce your ongoing heartburn symptoms. Although there isn't a scientific connection between heartburn and stress, there's lots of evidence for an indirect link.

Stress makes us overeat, particularly foods that aren't very nutritious, sleep poorly and give in to unhealthy habits such as drinking and smoking. These actions will compound the problem if they end up worsening your heartburn.

If chronic heartburn is a problem for you, you need to take a close look at the stressors in your life so you can get rid of them. Is it your relationships? Your job? Finances or being over-scheduled? All of this can increase your stress levels and lead to heartburn if it makes you choose unwise lifestyle choices.

As you start to realize the situations that are causing your discomfort, you are in a better position to prevent chronic heartburn by easing your stress levels. Could you go into counseling, or even just steal some time away to unwind and appreciate life?

Often you can reduce your stress, and thereby your heartburn symptoms, by changing certain aspects of your life. Add exercise to your daily routine if you don’t already do it. It may help you lose weight, too, which can help reduce your heartburn symptoms if you’re overweight.

If you just need to unwind and relax, try meditation or massage. While these may not directly inhibit heartburn, they can make your life less hectic and allow you to de-stress and live the kind of lifestyle that helps heartburn sufferers cut down on the frequency with which they experience heartburn.

Maybe you just need to put on a soothing CD and relax to the sound of music for awhile. This sort of relaxation can prevent you from overeating, drinking alcohol, or smoking. These activities can all cause you to experience the discomfort of heartburn.

You might like to exchange your bad habits with a more positive activity, such as laughter. Improve your mood and lose stress by finding things that humor you and help you let go of life’s troubles.

Look for ways to lower your stress and treat your heartburn that won't hit your wallet too hard. You want to avoid adding financial problems to your misery, and there are lots of cheap ways to manage your heartburn and enjoy your life.

Visit the Heartburn Relief site for more tips on preventing and treating this painful condition.