One of the foundational aspects of health is your gut. For busy moms juggling school drop-offs, work, and dinner prep, a healthy digestive system is key to maintaining energy levels and immunity. Focusing on digestion isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about thriving in a demanding routine. If you want to improve your gut health, we’ll explain some simple strategies anyone can employ to improve their digestion.
Understanding Gut Health
To improve your digestion, you first must understand the basics of gut health. The gut microbiome, a diverse community of trillions of bacteria in the digestive tract, plays a crucial role in digestion, immunity, mental health, and more.
Acting as your body’s control center for nutrient absorption, a balanced microbiome ensures smooth digestion, while imbalances can cause issues like bloating, irregular bowel movements, and fatigue.
How To Improve Your Gut’s Health
If you suffer from indigestion or other stomach-related issues, there are many ways you can help your body digest better. Consider these gut health strategies, like changing your diet and incorporating supplements, to improve digestion.
Eat Your Way to Better Digestion
A healthy gut starts with the right food. Boost digestion by adding fiber-rich options like whole grains, leafy greens, nuts, and fruits to your meals—simple changes like oatmeal for breakfast or spinach in your salad can make a big difference.
Probiotics, found in yogurt, kefir, and fermented veggies like kimchi or sauerkraut, introduce beneficial bacteria to your gut, while prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, and bananas feed these good bacteria. Together, probiotics and prebiotics work to maintain a strong, balanced gut microbiome.
Get Moving
Exercise plays a key role in improving gut health by stimulating intestinal activity and promoting gut motility, which helps prevent issues like constipation. Beyond burning calories, regular movement supports digestion and keeps things running smoothly. Whether it’s a brisk walk around the neighborhood or a family hike on the weekend, incorporating physical activity into your routine is a simple yet effective way to boost your digestive health.
When Supplements Come into Play
Lifestyle changes may not always resolve digestive issues, and supplements can be a helpful next step. Probiotics are particularly useful after antibiotics disrupt gut flora, while digestive enzymes aid in breaking down complex foods to reduce bloating and discomfort. However, not all supplements are the same, so consulting a healthcare professional ensures you choose the right option.
A Relaxing Infrared Sauna Session
Another way you can help your gut digest better is with regular infrared sauna sessions. Infrared saunas use light to heat the body directly instead of heating the surrounding air like in conventional steam saunas.
Infrared saunas can help with digestion in multiple ways—primarily by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for your body’s “rest and digest” function. Plus, they also help you relieve stress, another common instigator of digestive problems.
Reclaim Your Wellness with Small Changes
Improving gut health doesn’t require massive overhauls or complicated changes. Simple changes, like altering your eating habits, exercising more, and utilizing wellness tools like infrared saunas, can help your body’s digestion significantly. Take those first steps toward better digestion today—your body will thank you!