The Stress-Autoimmune Connection
Why Addressing Your Nervous System Is Key to Healing
If you've been struggling with autoimmune symptoms despite trying different diets, supplements, and treatments, there may be a fundamental piece of the puzzle you're missing: your nervous system state.
The Missing Link in Autoimmune Healing
Recent research has revealed what many holistic practitioners have observed for years—chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation lie at the root of most autoimmune conditions. When your body remains in a prolonged state of fight-or-flight, it creates a cascade of physiological changes that directly impact your immune function.
How Chronic Stress Fuels Autoimmune Disease
When your nervous system is stuck in survival mode:
- Your gut repair mechanisms shut down, leading to increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and allowing undigested food particles and toxins to enter your bloodstream
- Your immune system loses its ability to self-regulate, becoming either hypervigilant or confused about what to attack
- Inflammation becomes chronic as your body prioritizes immediate survival over long-term healing
- Your defences weaken against environmental triggers like viruses, bacteria, mould, and environmental toxins
This explains why so many people with autoimmune conditions report that their symptoms first appeared or dramatically worsened during periods of intense stress—whether from work pressure, relationship difficulties, trauma, or major life transitions.
Why Diet Changes Alone Often Aren't Enough
Many autoimmune protocols focus exclusively on eliminating trigger foods and adding supplements. While these approaches certainly help reduce symptoms, they often fail to address the underlying nervous system dysregulation that keeps your body in a state of alarm.
The truth is this: No amount of perfect eating can fully heal an autoimmune condition if your body remains convinced it's under constant threat.
The Two-Pronged Approach to True Healing
For sustainable recovery, we need to focus on:
- Healing the gut barrier through appropriate nutrition, removing triggers, and supporting digestive function
- Regulating the nervous system to shift from chronic fight-or-flight into the rest-and-digest state where healing can occur
Simple Ways to Begin Regulating Your Nervous System Today
You don't need complicated protocols to start shifting your nervous system. Here are three simple practices you can begin immediately:
- Conscious breathing: Take 3-5 minutes twice daily to practice slow, diaphragmatic breathing (4 counts in, 6 counts out)
- Nature immersion: Spend 15 minutes daily outdoors without devices, simply observing the natural world around you
- Body scanning: Before bed, lie down and mentally scan your body from head to toe, noticing and releasing tension in each area
What's Coming Next
Jen Wilson and I will be discussing this and much more in our workshop next month which covers the six pillars for health - endorsed by The British Society for Lifestyle Medicine of which we are both members.
If you'd like to join us for this interactive 3 hour workshop then click HERE
Or look out for my next free workshop in June - FREE Workshop: The Body Connection | Emma Toms
Until then, remember that your healing journey isn't just about what you eat—it's about creating an internal environment where your body feels safe enough to heal.