You’ve probably noticed it — when you’re stressed, nervous, or upset, your stomach acts up. It twists, bubbles, or feels like a heavy knot. That’s no coincidence. Your brain and gut are constantly talking to each other.

Inside your body, there’s something called the gut–brain axis. It’s the connection between the nerves in your brain and the nerves in your digestive system. When you’re stressed, stress hormones are released, changing how your stomach moves and how much acid it makes. That can lead to cramps, gas, or either a tight or upset stomach.

During puberty, your body is especially sensitive to hormones, so it’s common for stress to show up in your stomach. It doesn’t mean you’re sick — it means your body is trying to manage more than it can handle.

It helps to notice when your stomach reacts — maybe before a test, after an argument, or when you don’t sleep enough. Your body is trying to tell you something.

Alma’s tips:

Eat regularly, even when you’re not very hungry. Drink water, move a little each day, and practice slow breathing when your stomach tightens. Place something warm, like a heating pad, on your stomach — warmth calms the nerves. Most of all, be gentle with yourself. Your brain and stomach are a team. When you calm one, the other follows.