Digestive health is the foundation of all health. And I am passionate about helping you experience health, and not disease! I want to share three simple steps to begin healing your digestion. Start with one step or implement all three – you can’t go wrong! Every step is a step toward better digestion.
Step One:
Prioritize Sleep. You have probably read and heard about the many benefits of getting plenty of good sleep on a regular basis. I define good sleep as sleeping soundly every night for 7-9 hours, ideally between 10-11pm and 7-8am. If you do miss a night, aim to take a nap the next day or make up for the missed sleep the next night. The reason that I list this as a step to take to begin improving your digestive health is that during sleep, your parasympathetic nervous system kicks in which allows your body the ability to do the work of restoring and repairing itself. Your body is able to rest and digest. Sweeeeet sleep!
Step Two:
Consume Probiotics. Most of us can benefit from increasing the beneficial bacteria in our bodies, particularly in our digestive tract. Microbiologists have proven that there are more microorganisms, ten times more to be exact, than human cells in your body. So, I think it’s time we all become friends. If you were not born vaginally, if your were not breastfed, and/or if you have taken antibiotics, it is extremely likely that you are deficient in beneficial bacteria which is critical in proper breakdown and absorption of the nutrients that we eat. I personally have found that eating probiotic foods, like cultured vegetables and milk kefir, makes the most noticeable difference in my digestive health. Probiotic foods come naturally packed with prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals build right in. Making your own cultured foods is the least expensive option and is lots of fun! But, if you are not mentally prepared to make your own at this time, you can also purchase them. My least favorite option, because I have found the results to be much subtler, is taking a high-quality probiotic supplement. But if this is your only option then, by all means, do it!
Step Three:
Eat in a Relaxed State. When you take the time to slow down and relax while you eat, there are many digestive health benefits. First, you are more likely to chew your food thoroughly, which is the first step in healthy digestion. Then, when you are relaxed, your parasympathetic nervous system is active, and, therefore, the needed digestive enzymes and juices can be released in your stomach so that the food can be properly digested. In addition, when you eat in a relaxed state, you are more likely to choose healthy whole foods, to remain in the present – enjoying the tastes, textures, and eating experience – and you are more likely to notice feelings of fullness and less likely to overeat.
There you have it! Simple enough, right? Simple, yet very powerful. Let me know which of these steps you decide to try and how that works for you. And, let me know if you have questions or need support. Cheers to your health!