The old saying goes, “You are what you eat”, in short: if you eat well, you feel well.
What you eat contributes to so much more than the way you look/your appearance, it affects the way you think and feel. KAILO’s ambassador Ellie Gonsalves said it best, “Understanding the connection between what we eat and how we feel mentally is a game-changer in the world of wellness”.
But do you know the reason behind this? This is because of the Gut-Brain axis. In short, your gut has major influences on your mental state and mental health. Because the gut and brain have the ability to communicate with each other, an imbalance in either system can cause issues with the other.
Signs of an unhealthy gut:
- Upset stomach: excessive bloating, gas, stomach pains, diarrhea and/or constipation
- Intense sugar cravings: this may indicate a microbiome that is out of balance
- Food intolerances: this can indicate that there are certain good bacteria lacking in your microbiome or that there is an imbalance
- Disturbed sleep: studies have shown disrupted sleep has been linked to an imbalanced gut. However, sleep is an important aspect of gut health as sleep is needed to balance hormones and undergo metabolic processes that improve gut health.
- Unintentional weight changes
What causes an unhealthy gut:
- Stress
- Diet
- Use/overuse of antibiotics
- Not getting sufficient sleep
- Genetics
An unhealthy gut can be detrimental to your mental health for reasons ranging from hormone imbalances to inflammation and more. As a matter of fact, about 95% of the body's serotonin (our happy hormone) is produced in the gut, so it is no wonder this is the case. This possible lack in serotonin as a result of an unhealthy gut is closely linked to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
What do we do to create a happier gut & mind?
With all this said, how do we create a healthier and happier gut and mind? It is important to:
- Nourish your gut by eating unprocessed, whole foods. This will help to begin the process of restoring your microbiome, ultimately helping to improve production of serotonin produced in the gut and helping to improve your mental health.
From the other angle, reducing stress by implementing:
- Stress management techniques such as breathwork, meditation and exercise can reduce damage caused to the gastrointestinal tract by inflammation and microbiome imbalance.
So, what are our best tips and tricks for a healthy gut and mind?
- Reduce processed and refined foods: we promise, the long-term benefits outweigh the momentary pleasure.
- Eat a diverse range of foods: the more diverse your plate is, the more diverse your microbiome will be. Plus, this means you will consume a range of different vitamins and minerals
- Focus on fiber: Fiber is great for both improving digestive motility, absorption of nutrients and certain fiber can act as food for your microbiome.
- Exercise: not only is exercise a great way to reduce stress levels, but it also assists in moving food through your digestive tract.
- Rest: as important as it is to exercise, it is just as important to rest when your body needs it. Listen to your body and give it time to rest and restore when it needs to. As we covered earlier, we see the negative effect that stress and “over-doing-it” has on your gut so remember- all in moderation.
- Sleep: The gut and sleep are interconnected. Sleep helps in balancing hormones, in turn reducing the effects of stress on the body.
- Feel Well, the hero ingredient of the Anxious Girl Elixir: Sometimes we can find it hard to get the right nutrients everyday, this is where we can help. Feel Well is your ultimate gut nourishing blend. With ingredients like L-Glutamine, probiotics, magnesium and more, this blend will help boost and support your gut health.
Nurture your mental health through nourishing your gut with Feel Well, the Anxious Girl Elixir.
“I’m so proud to partner with KAILO, a brand that truly understands and leverages this connection to help people feel their best.” states Ellie, “The Anxious Girl Elixir is more than just a drink; it’s a statement about taking control of our mental health through mindful nutrition”.
- Sleep Well: Sleep Well’s blend of sleepy herbs, minerals and nutrients will assist you in relaxing and unwinding, allowing you to slip into a deeper sleep, giving your body the chance to restore and rejuvenate.
Support your gut health from start to finish with the “Be Well Bundle”. Start your morning with a refreshing glass of Feel Well, to nourish your gut and end your day with a cozy, chocolate Sleep Well, helping you unwind and drift into a deep restful sleep, setting you up for success for the day ahead. Make mixing your elixir a dream with KAILO’s e-whisk, included in the Be Well Bundle.
Shop our Be Well Bundle today and save.
