In today’s society, there is a lot of emphasis placed on what we look like on the outside. We all want to have hair that is silky and sleek, skin that is tan and blemish-free, and bodies that are lean and toned. With so much focus being put on these physical attributes, it can be easy to forget that health is a lot more than that.
If you want to judge the true state of your physical well-being, you have to look within, literally! The health of both your body and mind stems from what is happening on the inside of your body. Is your digestive system operating smoothly and comfortably? Is your mind sharp and your memory clear? Are your heart and lungs strong enough to do their jobs?
If you are striving to achieve full-body health in the long run, these are the types of questions you should be asking yourself. Furthermore, you should be letting the answers to those questions drive you to focus on ways you can take care of your body and improve your health from the inside out.
But how exactly can you do that? The best place to start is with your gut.
The Importance of Gut Health
Nearly every other aspect of your health starts in your gut. With the important role of absorbing nutrients from the food you eat, your digestive system is connected to many other parts of your body such as your brain and your skin. These connections not only allow your body to disperse the nutrients you consume to the systems that need them, but it also provides a way for your gut to impact the well-being of many other parts of your body, for better or for worse.
If you want to put it in more simple terms, you could say that your gut is an engine. It’s basically running your life—helping to control things like your mood, cognitive function, immune response, skin appearance and health, your ability to maintain a healthy weight, and so much more.
Improving Your Gut Health
With the potential to impact so many aspects of your health and wellness, there is no doubt that taking care of your gut health is key to improving your overall health from the inside out. So what can you do to help keep your gut happy and healthy? Here are some tips to get you started.
Eat More Fruits And Vegetables
When it comes to your diet, the tried and true way of eating organic, whole foods is the way to go. Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients and contain large percentages of water. This makes them ideal for keeping you hydrated and providing your gut, and the rest of your body, with the necessary nutrients to keep you feeling great both inside and out.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
When you drink more fluids, particularly water, you will feel refreshed and energized throughout the day. Being properly hydrated helps your body digest food and also keeps all your organs, especially the skin, functioning properly. When you are dehydrated, your body will begin to pull fluids from your intestines to be used elsewhere in the body. This can translate to slowed-down digestion and other gastrointestinal discomforts. It is best to drink up and provide your body with the fluids it needs to stay healthy.
Focus on Fiber
Make fiber your friend. Fiber is an important nutrient for your digestive system. It can not only help keep things moving through your digestive tract, but it is also the favorite food of the good microbes that reside in your gut microbiome. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains are all fantastic sources of fiber, and adding them to your diet can help you meet the recommended daily intake of 25 to 38 grams a day.
Move Your Body
Daily movement is one of the best things you can do for your gut. In fact, exercising regularly can alter the composition of your gut microbiome for the better, so get up and get your body moving. You don’t have to invest in a personal trainer or gym membership to give your body the exercise it needs. You can start with a daily walk or self-guided yoga routine. If you find it difficult to fit workout time into your schedule, get creative. Household chores and running errands can easily be used as a way to keep your body moving and feeling fit. Turn on some music and dance around the kitchen as you cook dinner. Skip the automatic sprinklers in your garden and take the walk to water it yourself every day. The possibilities for adding movement into your day are truly endless.
Embrace Supplements
Even with the most perfect diet, there is a decent chance you may not be getting enough of some of the most important nutrients. Adding a nutritional supplement to your routine can help ensure your gut–and the rest of your body–are getting everything they need to feel their best. Look for supplements that contain more than just vitamins and minerals. There are a variety of both macro and micro-nutrients that the typical vitamin supplement may not contain. Things like amino acids, phytopigments, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants are all just as important for your body as vitamins and minerals are.
If you are specifically looking to support your gut, you’ll also want to consider taking supplements that contain probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes to foster a healthy gut microbiome and efficient digestion.
Live the #NewEarthLife
Health is a lot more than what we can see on the outside—it comes from within. It’s time to look beyond the surface and start taking care of your body from the inside out, starting with your gut. After all, the gut is at the core of who you are, literally, which is why taking care of it is at the center of what we call living the #NewEarthLife.