Anxiety and gut health: Dr Pal gives a shout-out to Jemimah Rodrigues for speaking about anxiety. Explains how stress impacts your gut

When Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues opened up about her struggle with severe anxiety, it struck a chord with fans everywhere. Her emotional honesty after a stellar World Cup performance reminded many that even the strongest athletes face silent battles. Among those moved by her openness was gastroenterologist Dr Pal, who took to Instagram to celebrate her courage — and to shed light on how anxiety doesn’t just affect the mind, but also the gut.

Dr Pal praised Jemimah not only for her performance on the field but for breaking the silence around mental health. He explained that stress and anxiety can directly influence digestion because the gut and brain are constantly communicating. When the brain senses danger or distress, it sends signals to the intestines, often leading to symptoms like bloating or discomfort. He urged people to pay attention to their bodies and reflect on their stress levels when experiencing such issues.

Assessing stress
He also shared a simple way to assess stress through the Perceived Stress Scale — an online tool that helps people understand whether their stress levels are low, moderate, or high. Alongside this, he offered three practical steps for better gut and mental health: eat more fibre-rich, plant-based foods while reducing animal products; get seven to eight hours of sleep to allow the body to reset; and move for at least 20 minutes a day, even if it’s just a walk.


Dr Pal reminded his followers that health isn’t about doing everything alone or staying in control all the time. It’s about listening to your body, resting when needed, and reaching out for help instead of glorifying burnout.

Jemimah Rodrigues about her anxiety

Jemimah, meanwhile, spoke candidly about how anxiety had gripped her leading up to the tournament. She described feeling numb, breaking down in tears before games, and relying on her family and teammates for support. Cricketers Arundhati Reddy, Smriti Mandhana, and Radha Yadav stood by her through that difficult phase, offering quiet strength and constant reassurance.


Things hit harder when she was dropped for the England match, leading to moments of deep self-doubt. But when she returned to the squad for a crucial game against New Zealand, she channelled her emotions into a brilliant 76 not out, guiding India to victory and finding her confidence again. Jemimah said the experience taught her the importance of hanging on, seeking help, and trusting those who care — lessons that extend far beyond cricket.