You have a big decision to make and you have to make it right now. Your stomach is in knots and you feel nauseous. Is your gut telling you something?
Maybe. There is a direct link between the brain and the gut. There are 100 million neurons lining your digestive tract, according to Harvard Business Review — more than in the spinal cord. About 95 percent of serotonin and 50 percent of the body's dopamine is processed in the gut, so the gut has the chemistry. So your gut may well be worth listening to.
But what is your knotted gut telling you? That's the problem.
Your brain is scanning your environment and analyzing thoughts faster than your awareness and that information might be going right to your gut. The key may be listening to your gut, or intuition, and learning over time what signals your body is sending you.
The first thing to ask yourself is whether you are feeling fearful. Fear pushes you to avoid threats or punishment. Fear may be the impulse to flee or escape. Fear can also distort the messages of the environment.
If you aren't fearful, are you feeling pulled toward something, even if it is a risk? Do you feel excitement or anticipation? Or maybe you feel comfortable and at ease.
Stay aware of your physical gut reactions at important moments. You might be able to see how these hints can help you make decisions over time.
