Gut health is essential to our overall well-being. But why is gut health so important? A healthy gut helps us most effectively digest the foods we eat, absorb essential nutrients, and process and utilize the nutrients we consume to fuel our bodies optimally.
While those qualified through DNP in nursing education online programs are best suited to teaching about health topics, this article will attempt to cover the basics and give you some understanding of gut health.
Let’s explore some essential gut health tips in further detail.
Gut Health Tip # 1: Regulate Your Stress Levels
If you’ve ever heard of the ‘mind-body connection,’ you’ll likely already be aware that our physical and emotional health is heavily intertwined. It makes sense, then, that our stress levels can have a huge impact on the health of our guts. How? Higher levels of the stress-induced cortisone hormone in the body can cause gut conditions such as IBS, GERD, and Crohn’s disease.
So, how can we avoid unnecessarily stressing out our guts? Consider stress-busting strategies like partaking in regular low-impact exercises such as yoga or walking, or perhaps try guided breathwork and meditation. Dabbling in gratitude journaling or even attending therapy may help ease your stress the most.
Gut Health Tip # 2: Get Some Good Quality Shut-Eye
Getting enough sleep is essential if you want to care for your gut—and, indeed, your overall health.
But are you having trouble getting your Zs? Try implementing sleep hygiene. What does that look like? First, set yourself up for some good quality rest by sticking to a regular bedtime. Then, wind down by implementing a relaxing turn-down routine. Dim the lights, have a warm shower or bath, and get into your coziest pajamas. Most important? Avoid blue-light electronics and late-night caffeine hits while you’re trying to wind down. Your gut will thank you for it.
Gut Health Tip # 3: Hydration is Key
When looking out for the health of your gut, hydration is key. So, make sure you drink enough water. Upping your water intake not only keeps you hydrated but also helps to flush out any nasty toxins from your system.
For the best results, many medical experts suggest that we should all drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Note that this is only a recommendation – some people might need to drink even more water to stay adequately hydrated.
Gut Health Tip # 4: Eat More Fiber
Fiber is paramount for healthy gut functioning. So, if you want a healthy gut, eat more fiber. What are some sources of good-quality fiber? Try consuming foods that are rich in soluble fiber – such as beans, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
As well as this, prebiotics are an excellent source of partially digested fiber. Prebiotics can be consumed by eating more plant-based food and also superfoods like kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, and olives.
Gut Health Tip # 5: Reduce Your Alchohol Consumption
Finally, if you’re serious about your gut health, you’re going to need to reduce your alcohol consumption.
Our tip? If you can’t cut out drinking altogether, consider limiting yourself to mocktails at social occasions, or perhaps, try lower-strength alcohol options. The good news? The sober curious movement has given rise to a wide range of low-alcohol drinks, including, for example, reduced strength gin, wine, and even beers. As part of this movement, many consumers are exploring healthier drinking options and even cutting out alcohol completely. This shift has no doubt been a product of our greater awareness of the long-term risks of high levels of alcohol consumption.
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As we have discussed today, gut health is paramount for overall health. Looking after our gut health is essential if we want to feel our best, and have maximum energy and optimal wellbeing.
By following our gut health tips and regulating your stress, getting enough sleep, drinking more water, eating more fiber, and also, reducing your alcohol consumption, you can get your gut functioning at its peak capacity.
On the flipside – reader, beware: if you fail to look after your gut, you may develop debilitating gut conditions such as IBS, GERD, or Crohn’s disease.