4. Laugh!
There’s a popular saying “laughter is the best medicine” up to an extent, it is completely true because there’s a study that showed the importance of laughter and its positive impact on gut health. The stud focused on healthy people and people with atopic dermatitis (a disease linked to gut bacteria imbalances). Both groups were exposed to funny movies and clips for an entire week, and the results were shocking. The sick patients’ gut flora changed drastically and became closer to healthy people’s flora.
5. Open the Windows
Nowadays, people spend more time inside their homes than outside, in fact, it is estimated that 90% of our time is spent indoors. But, one must have a fair dose of sunlight and fresh air. If you don’t want or don’t like to go out much, then you should do some simple tasks indoors, by that I mean open up the windows. If you are not convinced, then a 2012 study showed that when you open up the windows and increase the natural airflow, you improve the health and diversity of beneficial microbes which benefits the bodily microbes.
6. Stress Less
The modern lifestyle causes stress levels to go through the roof, but that is not good for our overall health including gut health. In fact, stress can affect blood flow, gut motility, and gastric secretion amongst other things as well. Furthermore, stress hormones can have a terrible effect on gut bacteria, which affects the production of hormones and neurochemicals responsible for communications with the brain. Stress can also make us vulnerable to infection and the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease, food allergies, IBS, IBD, and stomach ulcers. Make sure to go out more, do refreshing activities, get a massage, take a salt bath, do hydrotherapy, or whatever you think can reduce your stress.
