Inflammation - The Reason You're Feeling Stressed, Bloated & Just Generally Crappy

Written by Kristan Fiandach
Inflammation - The Reason You're Feeling Stressed, Bloated & Just Generally Crappy

Let's talk about something I've been obsessing over lately: inflammation.

For years, I couldn't figure out why I felt so off. Stress that wouldn't go away no matter how many deep breaths I took. Bloating that showed up regardless of what I ate. And that general crappy feeling that had me wondering if this was just "normal" now.

If you're nodding along, thinking "this is literally me," I have news: inflammation might be behind ALL of it. And once I understood this connection, everything changed.

Top 3 Ways Inflammation Is Sabotaging Women's Bodies

1. Your Skin & Aging Situation

  • Fine lines that weren't there last week
  • Stubborn adult acne that ignores your expensive skincare
  • Elasticity that seems to disappear overnight
  • Redness and irritation that won't calm down

 

Inflammation is basically fast-forwarding your aging process by breaking down collagen and elastin faster than your body can rebuild them. It's like having your skin's repair systems working at 50% capacity while damage continues at 100%.

2. Hormonal Chaos & Reproductive Mayhem

  • Unpredictable periods that make tracking apps useless
  • PMS symptoms that have you questioning your sanity
  • Perimenopause hitting earlier and harder than expected
  • Fertility challenges that come out of nowhere
  • A vicious cycle where hormones trigger inflammation and inflammation worsens hormones

 

Here's the thing: inflammation disrupts how estrogen and progesterone function in your body. This creates a frustrating loop where stress causes inflammation, which throws off your hormones, which makes you feel more stressed... and around we go.

3. The Mysterious Weight & Metabolism Issues

  • Stubborn belly fat that resists your tried-and-true workout
  • Weight that won't budge despite consistent habits
  • Energy crashes throughout the day
  • Cravings that feel impossible to control

 

When inflammation is high, it literally changes how your body processes nutrients and stores fat. It interferes with insulin signaling and metabolism, making your body more likely to store fat around your midsection regardless of diet or exercise efforts.

How I'm Breaking My Own Inflammation Cycle

The good news? Once you understand this connection, you can address both issues simultaneously. Here's my personal anti-inflammation toolkit:

1. Food: Feed the Solution, Not the Problem

  • INFUSE your water with anti-inflammatory ingredients (lemon, ginger, mint)
  • PRIORITIZE omega-3s from wild salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds)
  • LOAD UP on colorful berries, leafy greens, and cruciferous veggies
  • INCORPORATE turmeric and ginger into everything possible
  • IDENTIFY your personal inflammatory triggers (mine were gluten, dairy and excessive screen time)

 

What we eat either feeds inflammation or fights it - there's no neutral territory here. I noticed HUGE changes when I started viewing my food choices through this lens.

2. Vibration Therapy: My Secret Weapon

This is my absolute non-negotiable. Using my Feel Good Mat for 15 minutes daily has been TRANSFORMATIVE for reducing inflammation.

Here's why it works:

  • The gentle vibrations ACTIVATE your vagus nerve - the superhighway of your parasympathetic system
  • This sends signals throughout your body to CALM the inflammatory response
  • It creates a SHORTCUT to the parasympathetic state, essentially telling your body "we're safe, we can stop the inflammation now"
  • Over time, it RECALIBRATES your nervous system's baseline, making you more resilient to stress

 

The best part? You can use it while watching your favorite show, answering emails, or reading. Zero extra time needed in your already packed day.

3. Sleep Optimization (Even When It Feels Impossible)

  • Use the Feel Good Mat's Sleep mode for 15 minutes before bed
  • Keep phones OUTSIDE the bedroom (this was hard but game-changing)
  • Maintain consistent sleep/wake times, even on weekends
  • Create a proper sleep sanctuary - cool, dark, and quiet
  • Cut coffee after noon (I switched to Golden Milk and Cacao drinks)

 

Sleep is when your body does its most powerful anti-inflammatory work. Even small improvements here make a massive difference in how you feel during the day.

4. Strategic Movement

  • Morning walks in NATURE (bonus points for barefoot)
  • GENTLE yoga instead of high-intensity workouts when stressed
  • STRENGTH training that builds muscle without triggering more cortisol
  • Use the Feel Good Mat's ENERGIZE mode before workouts

 

The key insight? When inflammation is high, intense workouts can actually make it worse. I switched to consistent, moderate movement and saw better results.

The Bottom Line

Inflammation isn't just a wellness buzzword - it's a real physiological response that's potentially behind your most frustrating symptoms. The connection between stress, inflammation, and those mysterious body changes is legit.

My Feel Good Mat has become my daily non-negotiable for keeping inflammation in check. The gentle vibrations work to activate my parasympathetic nervous system, which is essentially telling my body "hey, we're safe, we can stop the inflammation now."

+ The Golden Remedy: 5-Minute Golden Milk Recipe That Heals Stress Inflammation

++ Transform Your Mind w/ The Binaural Collection