You have heard it said many times "Go with your gut instinct." And there is truth to this adage.
The human stomach is sometimes referred to as the second brain, it is the only organ have its own independent nervous system consisting of 100 million neurons embedded in the gut wall. We are born with sterile stomachs but over time, everyone's gut develops a brew of bacterial species. Some of this bacteria produces hundreds of neurochemicals that the brain uses to regulate basic physiological processes as well as mental processes such as learning, memory and mood.
But its not just your gut, it is also the limbic system of your brain which is coming into play. The limbic system is centered deep in the right side of your brain and is unaffected by communication but is where your feelings are also controlled. Both your brain and your gut are linked.
So here are some ways to use your gut instinct;
- If it doesn't 'feel' right, then it isn't. Go with your first impressions.
- Similarly, if it feels right, it is. If you are doing something or have an idea and it just 'feels' right, go with it.
- If you perceive danger, listen to it. This comes from early times when we sensed danger because there was nothing else to go on.
- Go with your gut. If you struggling with a decision, what is your gut telling you?
- If you have a nervous stomach, find out why. To do so start thinking about what has been worrying you over the last day or so, when you come across the thing that is upsetting your stomach, that feeling will become stronger when you think about the cause.
Lastly, never say the first thing that comes into your head when you are emotional because it will always be the wrong thing. Don't follow your head, follow you gut.