Stress-free: the way to be.

So, I've had colleagues and friends alike that have informed me how stress plays a huge role in their digestive system. 

My mother has informed me that IBS (irritable bowel syndrome, which I've had since high school) is triggered by stress. 

As of the end of the school year, I have had considerably less stress on a daily basis. 

I'm beginning to think that stress, like so many others, has an affect on how I feel. 

However, my stress level has also varied since early June, alongside my eating habits. With work/softball, I didn't focus much on the quality of the food I was eating. Now, with the time to cook and regularly make trips to the grocery store, I am watching what I eat more and eating less processed foods (and who KNOWS all the additives in processed restaurant food).

Too many variables changed at once? Perhaps. Feeling better? Yes. So we are going with it. Also still refraining from most dairy. The occasional slice of cheese on a sandwich is consumed. 

I've also become aware of the fact that my stomach does NOT react well when food (of any kind) is put inside it when it's extremely empty. For example, breakfast is almost always rough, no matter what it consists of. Keeping myself satiated to the extent that I don't get uncomfortably hungry is another key, I believe. 

Good insight this past week. Crazy schedule/vacation plans made it challenging, but I do believe the significant decrease in stress has played a role. Will continue to monitor how hungry I get, and try to prevent it from getting too empty.