May 19th, 2025

As a clinical hypnotherapist, counsellor and someone passionate about mind-body wellness, I see firsthand how the mind-gut axis influences both emotional and physical health. One of the most profound connections I’ve observed is the impact of people-pleasing on gut health.

People-pleasers are often overwhelmed by the emotional toll of constantly caring for others while neglecting their own needs. This is particularly true for women, who may spend much of their lives nurturing those around them, whether it’s children, partners, friends, or clients. They struggle to say “no,” even when their resources, emotional and physical, are stretched thin.

Let’s consider a typical case I’ve worked with:
A late-middle-aged woman, who has spent her entire career and personal life caring for others, is now dealing with chronic constipation and overwhelming stress. Her home has to be perfect, she feels the need to always help friends or family when asked, and her work expectations have become unrealistic. Even her clients, she is a self-employed gardener, expect more than initially agreed for the same price, and she feels unable to assert herself.
No wonder her gut is in distress.

The Link Between Boundaries and the Gut
In my work, I often address this mind-body connection, specifically how emotional states, especially stress, manifest physically in the body. When we are in a constant state of emotional overwhelm, especially from unexpressed anger or frustration, our nervous system remains in a perpetual “fight or flight” response. This leads to chronic stress, which directly affects the gut, resulting in symptoms like constipation, bloating, and IBS.
The problem is further exacerbated when people-pleasers cannot say “no” to others’ demands. In my experience, this ongoing disregard for personal limits is one of the key contributors to digestive distress.

Making Peace with Your Body
The first step in any therapeutic approach for clients with gut-related issues is making peace with the body. This means shifting the focus inward, away from the constant need to care for others, and beginning to listen to what the body needs.
In gut-directed hypnotherapy, this process begins with reconnecting with the body in a safe, supportive environment. It’s about helping the client understand that their body is not the enemy and that emotional regulation is key to physical health.

Setting Healthy Boundaries
Once the client has developed a more harmonious relationship with their body, the next step is introducing healthy boundaries. This can be challenging, especially for those who have spent much of their lives prioritising the needs of others. But once clients feel safe enough in their own bodies, they can start to recognise their right to say no, and that doing so doesn’t make them selfish. In fact, it’s essential to their health.
Setting boundaries may seem like a small step, but it’s transformative. By choosing self-care over constant self-sacrifice, individuals begin to experience improved confidence, healthier relationships, and better gut function.

The Benefits of Saying No to Others’ Demands
The simple act of honouring yourself and your needs has far-reaching benefits. When you say “no” to unhealthy demands from others and “yes” to yourself, you begin to regain control of your life. This can result in:
• Improved gut health, as the body no longer carries the weight of constant emotional strain.
• Better emotional wellbeing, as you create space for your own feelings, needs, and desires.
• Increased confidence, as you reinforce your sense of self-worth by setting healthy limits.

Why It Works
When we approach mind-gut therapy with this integrated perspective, where boundaries, self-care, and emotional healing work hand-in-hand, it becomes much easier for the body to heal. The nervous system is calmed, the gut begins to function more naturally, and emotional resilience is restored.
For many of my clients, gut-related issues are often just the surface. The deeper work is in reconnecting with themselves and learning to listen to their bodies. This shift often leads to profound, long-lasting improvements in both emotional and physical health.

Conclusion
Healthy boundaries are not a luxury - they are a necessity.
By learning to honour yourself, you create the space for true healing to take place. If you are struggling with gut health, emotional distress, or chronic stress, consider how setting boundaries could be the missing piece in your healing journey.
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If this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out. Through hypnotherapy and mind-body work, we can begin the process of restoring your health and wellbeing, both emotionally and physically.