As a child, I could make a vegetable soup, and eat it in less than half an hour.

It made a pleasant change from microwaved fishfingers, or tuna pasta salad, which I can still make speedily.  Mother did not bother cooking once I had reached the grand age of eleven, and on the rare occasion that she did: our floppy meal, was timed…

Stress can cause a range of gastrointestinal problems including: acid reflux, bloating, cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, and indigestion: poor eating habits can carry through into adulthood.

Fortunately, three years ago, when my disability became more challenging: I overhauled my diet. It was also important to keep slim, rather than having surgery; and that is when I ensured that it includes fermented food: renowned for being good for gut health.

But as I continue my healing journey, and celebrate a year of emotional freedom: I have noticed that I often still eat like a snake. Many subtle poor habits remain with a survivor, until we become consciously aware of them. We are reminded about the importance of self-care, and that it requires daily management.

These days, as the cerebral palsy mildly affects chewing and swallowing, I am midst learning, and fine-tuning my eating style. I am still a kid at heart, so I include games to help slow down the serpentine angst of yesteryear.

Perhaps my following techniques may help you to improve your gastrointestinal problems:

• Firstly, I remind self that I am in my home with my own rules!
• If I am feeling anxious, then I prepare my meal with the help of Chopin, the composer is incredibly relaxing to chop to.
• I take the time to make my meal look attractive, and always include lots of coloured vegetables’: usually arranging my food in a smiley face.
• I cut the food up into bite-sized pieces whilst I am serving my portion
• In-between chewing, I put down my cutlery, and force self not to pick it back up ‘til I have finished swallowing the mouthful
• I keep a glass of water next to me to aid my digestion
• I remind myself to taste what I’m eating, as opposed to eating to the beat.
• I keep a pen and notebook to hand for doodles and writing ideas – another mechanism to help slow my eating style down.

All aspects of healing, require constant self-management, and self-awareness.

As we identify a particular poor lifestyle habit: that we know descends from our unique effect of trauma; it is helpful to remember that there are complexities or layers to it.

When we are mindful of this, then we can take a layered approach in addressing and beginning to overcome the everyday things, such as a poor eating style that hamper our wellbeing.

And, taking a layered approach to the smaller issues, can be used as a template throughout many aspects of our healing journey.

I hope you find this helpful.

With SUNNY wishes, Emma x