Health
There’s a reason you know exactly what Metamucil is. Because fiber is that important, and should always be a part of your wellness plan. Try to incorporate whole foods into your diet that are a source of prebiotics — like onions, garlic, and oatmeal — which feed your gut bacteria.
You can’t talk about gut health without talking about probiotics. Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria and yeast that live in your body and — like any good gathering — the more the merrier! Try to go for one that is at least 10 billion CFU or more, and make sure it has both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.
If you needed permission to stay in bed longer, this is it. Lack of sleep increases levels of cortisol, aka the stress hormone. And more stress? More gut imbalance. So use this as an excuse to hit the snooze button over and over.
Sensing a common theme here? Yep, stress and negative thoughts are not your gut’s friend. While completely eradicating stress is impossible, reducing and managing stress is key when it comes to gut health — because our gut is directly affected by our emotional world. In fact, research has shown that breath work and meditating aren’t just woo-woo practices — they’re actually both shown to reduce anxiety and panic. Of course, regular meditation is a great start, but if you need to take some baby steps first, try the box breathing method instead: Just inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4, wait at the very end of the exhale for a count of 4, and then repeat until you feel calm.
To help the gut stay happy and inflammation-free, there are a few foods to stay clear of — or, at the very least, eat in moderation.
No matter how you look at the gut, it’s clear that it is one of the most important (and overlooked) groups of organs in our body. But treat it well with a healthy lifestyle, and you’ll be surprised at just how good you can feel.
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