These days, self-care has become a buzzword of sorts and may come across as depthless. A big part of authentic self-care that many don’t realise, is the importance of keeping your guts happy and healthy.
As you may know (or not), too much precaution, as well as overindulgence, doesn’t create great circumstances in the long run for your digestive system. So, healthy-living habits are best practised instead of controlling what you eat.
This is because bad eating habits can distress not just your mental and physical being, but also lead to life-threatening circumstances such as stroke, heart diseases and even cancer.
Below are some bad eating choices and habits most people engage in that are harmful to our digestive health.
1. Taking too little fibre
It’s very common that most people do not consume enough fibre these days. In fact, 25 grams a day is optimal. Loading up on your greens and other fibre-laden foods not only regulates bowel movements but also keeps you guarded against digestive issues such as IBS, constipation, haemorrhoids and more.
2. Overboozing yourself
It is understandable that present circumstances can be less than ideal, signalling a need for escapism, sometimes in the form of a happy hour or two.
Although it’s fine to indulge, drink too much or too often and you may be more susceptible to issues like diarrhoea and an uncomfortable tummy. That’s because alcohol is acidic and it slows down gut muscle movements.
Especially for relaxing, consider replacing the hard drinks with something far smoother and palatable, like tea!
3. Insufficient Attention to Bowel Movement
Sometimes, our insides need a good refresh and everyone always stands to benefit from a detox. A good laxative may do just the trick, and you have the liberty to opt for ones with additional herbal components as well. Though you should be warned; it will stimulate your bowels, likely causing diarrhoea.
Conversely, you may opt to remedy your less than ideal bowel habits all on your own simply by being hyper-aware of what goes into your body (e.g. taking enough fibre).
4. Lack of Sleep
Surprised that little sleep is one of the causes of digestive problems? Yes, you should check in with yourself and ensure that you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
When you are sleep deprived, it often leads to heightened stomach acid which in turn delays the digestive process. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of the hours we spend in dreamland as a sleep deficiency reduces the good bacteria for our gut, which then leads to a higher risk of gut discomfort. Thankfully, there are natural, drug-free sleeping aids that can help you recalibrate your body clock.
5. Inadequate Exercise
Not getting enough exercise is a contributing factor for a variety of health issues, further emphasising the importance of keeping yourself fit. Studies have demonstrated that exercise or physical activity, in general, enhances healthy gut bacteria. Make sure you have at least half an hour of exercise, several times a week to upkeep your digestive tract.
As you can see from our notes above, there are many ways that we may be sabotaging our health, and we can put a stop to them with the right awareness.
In short, it is imperative that we do the most to ensure our digestive systems are operating as best as they can. After all, it does take some guts to proactively start eating and drinking better in addition to adopting healthier lifestyle choices that affect our guts for the better.