
But first, a word of gratitude
Change to the composition of gut microbiome has been shown to affect mood, pain tolerance, cognitive function and behavior. Anxiety or depression can in turn change the framework of our gut flora thereby impacting gut health. Itʼs the chicken or the egg phenomena! In essence, functional bowel issues can be the cause or the effect of anxiety, stress, or depression. In addition to demonstrating links to mental and emotional wellbeing, gut health is key to a proper immune system. Modulating gut microbiota is essential to metabolism and therefore managing obesity, weight gain and diabetes. Did I mention heart health?
Another indicator of gut microbiome diversity is sleep physiology. Stress anyone? Sleep, or lack thereof, has been closely correlated to anxiety and depression. People who are sleep deprived are also less likely to exercise, eat healthfully, have sex, and engage in leisure activities. This myriad of poor lifestyle habits are a catalyst for inflammation and gut dysfunction further exacerbating an already stressed system. Weʼre back to the loop of cause and effect.
Insert stress reduction. Regular stress management is nonnegotiable when it comes to gut and general health. We all know that a mindfulness practice like yoga, meditation or float therapy can go a long way. What we may not know is that being quiet and present before eating can decrease stress and actually improve digestion. So, before you plan your next meal, first, a word of gratitude! Did you know that simply expressing gratitude causes the brain to release neurotransmitters responsible for our feel good emotions while also reducing stress hormones? This simple signal to our brain in turn communicates positive messages to our gut microbiome. Remember the cause and effect loop?
Insert gratitude. I find that cultivating a mealtime gratitude practice is a wonderful way to shift your mindset and energy. Since we eat several times per day, imagine the impact of reveling in gratitude throughout the day. Aligning yourself with the spirit of gratitude is like the gift that will keep on giving. Take a moment to enjoy the colors on your plate. Foster healthier and happier connections to your food, and your gut will beam with resilience. After all, enjoying good food isnʼt just about eating- its also about the pleasure of companionship and the abundance of nature!