Im a gut-brain expert 3 things to do if you feel like youre going to throw up on Election Day

One bipartisan issue this Election Day? No one wants to puke.But with stress and anxiety over such a high-stakes race sending Americans running to the pharmacy’s stomach aisle, a psychologist says there are a few techniques that can calm your tummy as it flips, twists, and crawls up into your throat while you’re watching the results come in.“Your mental and digestive health are deeply connected, particularly in stressful times,” Oshi Health‘s lead gut-brain specialist, Mariah Corneille, PsyD, told the New York Post.“Stress isn’t just in your head.Stress can easily disrupt your gut functioning, just due to that gut-brain connection,” she added.That can lead to a whole host of digestive issues, including diarrhea, constipation, cramps, bloating, heartburn, acid reflux and of course, nausea.“I’ve noticed such an influx of patients, no matter where they go on the political spectrum, who are experiencing [gastrointestinal problems] because they’re anticipating the election.”You’re not just imagining you feel sick, either: The gut has its own nervous system, Corneille explained, which responds to stressors independently of your central nervous system.“So when we experience stress, like worrying about a major event such as this landmark election, our body’s fight or flight response kicks in,” she said, noting that that leads to the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can disrupt digestive functioning.“Ultimately, while we can’t control everything happening around us — like the outcome of a major election — we can control how your body responds, and taking these proactive steps can really help protect your overall well-being.”Corneille’s first tip is the simplest — and easy enough to do unnoticed if you’re in a room full of people.Diaphragmatic or belly breathing involves breathing deeply into your belly for a few counts, then exhaling for a few counts on a slightly slower count.“What happens is you’re...