This will probably sound stupid but I have a really bad problem where my stomach growls loudly regardless of whether I've eaten or not. It normally occurs when class is silent or I'm doing a test/exam and it makes me extremely anxious. It stops me from focusing on work or tests and makes me want to cry and leave the room. I hate it so much but I don't know what to do about it because it always sounds like a trivial problem when I try to explain it to people and i can't seem to stop it - Solarx
Hi there lovely!
Honestly, this doesnât sound stupid at all. And if itâs upsetting you this much, then itâs not a trivial problem at all. If something is hurting or upsetting you, then itâs never trivial, no matter how small the issue might seem to other people. Your feelings are valid, lovely.
An important thing to remember when youâre feeling anxious is that this happens to everyone, and so the only person that will be focusing on it is you. I know that this doesnât change how you feel, but if youâre anxious about other people hearing and judging you, then thatâs not something you need to worry about at all, dear. Everyoneâs stomach growls sometimes, and itâs nothing to judge yourself for or be embarrassed about.
To reduce the sound, some people have found that pressing slightly on their stomach while breathing deeply helps to make the sound quieter. Other people find that sucking in their stomach when they feel like itâs about to growl also helps. Different things work for different people, so when youâre at home, you could try different things out and see what works for you!
It also might help to have a bottle of water with you in class. I know people often think that having a drink will make the growling worse, but usually it improves it! It lines the stomach, and makes the sounds less likely. It also helps to eat small portions of food often, rather than big portions a couple of times a day. By eating regularly, your stomach is always lined, and so if your stomach rumbles, the echo wonât be as loud.
Chewing gum can actually make stomach growling worse, so try not to chew too much gum before class. This is because it tricks your body into thinking that youâre eating food, and the muscles in your stomach will start working in preparation for digestion. This increases the likelihood of your stomach growling.
Hopefully some of those tips will make you feel less anxious, but honestly, you have nothing to be ashamed of <3
Weâre always here for you lovely.
All the love,
Ellen x
