Get cultured
You’ve probably heard your favourite health blogger talking about fermented or cultured foods recently. Sauerkraut, miso and on-trend kombucha (fermented tea), as well as probiotic yogurts, are all packed with beneficial bacteria that help keep your gut healthy. But if you’re not keen on fermented fare, you can top up with a probiotic supplement – you’ll find them in health food stores and pharmacies.
Move more
Some early research has shown that athletes have more species of gut bacteria than the rest of us. But you don’t need to be an Olympian to benefit! Even moderate exercise can give your digestive system a boost – in fact, one study found women who were active every day were less likely to experience constipation. In our move more hub, we've got simple and effective ways to get you moving, so you'll discover how good you can feel!
Just relax
Stress is bad news for your gut, and a recent pilot study found that triggering the relaxation response could help ease symptoms in both irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Sit with your eyes shut, breathing into your belly, and mentally repeat a calming word like ‘breathe’ to kick your body into the relaxation response. Take a bit of 'me time' and have a read through our wellbeing hub for plenty of ideas to de-stress.