Have you been feeling bloated and gassy? Are you constantly rushing to the bathroom, or maybe you’re experiencing constipation and feel backed up? Do you have low-energy levels and can’t seem to keep your eyes open the whole day?
Whatever your case is, if you answered yes to at least one of these questions, you are probably suffering from gut issues. Essentially, the foods you are eating are not agreeing with you, not offering you the proper nutrients, and causing you indigestion and low energy.
However, gut issues can do more than affect your bodily functions. There is also a significant connection between your mental and gut health.
Read on to learn more about this gut-brain connection, how your mental health may be affected by it, and some tips for maintaining a healthy gut.
What is the Gut-Brain Connection?
You may not have realized it, but there is a strong connection between your brain and your digestive system. If you suffer from anxiety and struggle with negative thoughts throughout the day, your digestive system will be impacted as well. You may not be able to digest foods properly and will experience issues with bowel movements.
This can work the opposite as well. If you are not eating the proper foods and your diet is unbalanced, you will no doubt experience mood changes, memory loss, and other mental health issues. This two-way street between your digestive and neurological systems is evidence of the strong connection between gut health and mental health.
Signs Your Gut is Affecting Your Mental Health
While you’re probably aware of all the ways your gut affects your physical health, you may not have realized that your mental health is being impacted as well. For instance, you may have always thought that fatigue was simply your body’s way of telling you to slow down or get more rest. You may have also known that your poor diet contributes to fatigue since you are not getting the proper nutrients your body needs to operate.
However, what you may not have realized is the impact your dietary habits and gut issues are having on your mental health. Fatigue is not just a physical state of being, but a mental one as well. Gut issues that lead to fatigue and low energy levels also lead to the feeling of being mentally tired and, sometimes, even result in depression.
Bloating and irritable bowels are two additional physical symptoms that may be rooted in your mental health. Elevated levels of stress and anxiety are sometimes the causes of these digestive issues, proving even further the connection between a poor mental state and deteriorating gut health.
How to Improve Gut Health?
Oftentimes, your mental health will need to be addressed separately if it’s been determined that is the root of your gut issues. Engaging in meditative practices and techniques throughout the day can help lower your stress levels and encourage a healthy digestive system.
However, there are also things you should be doing to improve your gut health as well. Make sure to eat a well-balanced diet every day, and stick to three main meals. Skipping over breakfast in favor of a large lunch is not ideal, as you will be disturbing your body’s internal clock. A chaotic eating schedule negatively impacts your metabolism and digestion.
Additionally, make sure to eat foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt and cheese. Prebiotic-rich foods are also important to add to your diet and include vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. All these are rich in nutrients and encourage proper digestion.
Consult With a Professional!
If you’re ready to improve your gut health, but you’re not sure where to start and want to learn more about its connection to your mental state, then it may be time to visit a professional!
At Gesund, a wellness clinic located in Toronto, Canada, our naturopathic doctors are ready to meet with you and start you on the path to a healthier lifestyle!
Give us a call at 416-913-5170, or book an appointment by visiting our website!
