You’ve probably heard the gut health is the coolest kid on the block right now. Optimising gut health is one of the best things you can do for your body. That’s why I wanted to share about gut health and what it can do for you.

What is the gut?

When we think of the ‘gut’, we often just think of our tummies. But in fact, the gut, or digestive tract if you want to get fancy, is much more than that. It is the full length of tract starting at the mouth and ending at your bottom. It is where you break down nutrients, and also hosts the microbiome, or gut bacteria.

Why do we want a healthy gut?

The gut is a much bigger player in your overall health than many people realise. It is essential not just for digestive health, but also immunity and neurological health.

Up to 80% of your immune system is located in the gut. So your gut is your main defence against any foreign viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Both the gut bacteria and the gut lining play a role in supporting your immune system.

There is also a connection known as the gut-brain axis. This connection goes both ways, so your gut affects your brain and your brain affects your gut. The nervous system can trigger nerves within the gut, which is why you get butterflies when you’re nervous. But the gut is also responsible for producing many of your feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin, GABA and dopamine.

So if you want:

• Steady energy levels
• A cool and calm nervous system
• High levels of nutrients from your food
• A strong immune system that defends against bad guys

– then you want to be looking after your gut health.

Simple steps to support gut health

It can be easy to get overwhelmed by gut health, because it can be a complex area to explore. But there are some simple tips to start with that will help you towards a healthier, happier gut.

Eat more wholefoods

The first step is always to look to what you are eating on a daily basis. Your body thrives on unprocessed, natural food options. The best way to eat is focusing on plenty of plant foods like nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains and good fats along with quality protein. That being said, it is still ok to have a treat occasionally! I will still eat popcorn regularly.

Manage your stress levels

The gut is linked to many other systems, but the gut-brain connection is one of the strongest links there is. So when you are stressed, your gut feels the impact. We can’t get rid of stress altogether, but implementing stress management techniques such as meditation can reduce the negative effects on your gut.

Move your body

It might sound strange, but your gut actually needs you to move regularly to work optimally! It boosts the movement of the gut, so food can pass through at the right speed. You don’t have to go to the gym if you don’t want to – even a walk around the block after dinner can help.

Get plenty of rest

It’s easy to neglect sleep when life gets hectic. But believe it or not, how you sleep can change how your gut works. Your gut bacteria can shift depending on how much sleep you get, so sleep deprivation and broken sleep can actually make you vulnerable to digestive issues.

Want to take back control of your emotional eating? Why not try hypnotherapy! Join us for my workshop on The Mindset Solution to Emotional Eating – Nutritional Hypnosis on Sunday 4th August in Castle Hill NSW. Contact me for more details or click here to purchase tickets now!