Although we often think of our gastrointestinal tract (GIT) as simply our stomach and intestines, it is actually much more than that. The GIT includes all of the organs in the digestive system. This means that GIT health is essential for overall health and well-being.
So, how can you improve your GIT health? Read on for seven tips from a holistic perspective, but first, what is a holistic approach to health and wellness?
What Is A Holistic Approach To Health and Wellness?
A holistic approach to health and wellness focuses on the connection between mind, body, and environment as part of an individual’s overall well-being. This approach acknowledges that aspects of our physical and mental health are intertwined, meaning that neglecting one area can negatively impact another.
Rather than separate physical fitness from mental health or treating each element of your life in isolation, a holistic approach takes into account the links between lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise routines, and stress management, among many others. This is a more comprehensive way to look at well-being. To achieve a lifestyle characterized by optimum balance and well-being in all aspects of life, adopting this holistic perspective is essential.
1. Avoid Processed and Refined Foods
When it comes to improving GIT health, holistic methods are the smartest way to go. Avoiding processed and refined foods is a great place to start. Eating fresh, unprocessed foods as part of a balanced diet helps with digestion, reduces inflammation, and can even ward off illnesses.
While naturally occurring sugars from fruits and vegetables are healthy digestion aids, processed sugar should be avoided because it can weaken the digestive system.
2. Eat Plenty of Fiber-Rich Foods
Holistic eating is important when trying to improve GIT health — and this means eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of high-fiber foods. Fibre helps keep your digestive system running smoothly and keeps the bad bacteria from overgrowing in your intestines.
Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, pulses, legumes, nuts, and whole grains will give your body the fiber it needs to stay healthy and function optimally. Making sure to get enough fiber in your diet not only helps maintain regularity but can also help reduce inflammation and hunger levels. So be sure to incorporate plenty of fiber-rich foods into your daily routine for better GIT health!
3. Eat Fermented Foods Rich In Probiotics
Eating probiotics is an important part of GIT health as they introduce beneficial bacteria that help promote digestion and GIT function. Incorporating a holistic approach, one of the best ways to increase your probiotic intake is to switch up your daily diet by adding fermented foods.
Eating the right probiotic-rich fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi along with other vital nutrients like fiber and vitamins that your body needs to stay in top shape.
Also, don’t be afraid to try different recipes involving fermented foods for delicious meals that both improve your GIT health and bring variety into your daily routine.
When paired with other holistic methods, such as supporting digestion through stress management, consuming high-fiber foods, and exercising regularly, eating fermented foods can make a big difference in achieving optimum GIT health.
4. Reduce Stress Levels
Reducing stress is an essential piece of optimizing GIT health. To best achieve this goal, holistic methods must be incorporated. These holistic approaches may include lifestyle changes such as getting more sleep and regular exercise.
Holistic living can also help reduce stress, including activities in daily life that fuel passion, joy, curiosity, and creativity, such as painting, reading, or playing music. As well as incorporating relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation into your daily life.
If you want further guidance, there are a lot of wellness retreats that can teach you how to adopt a holistic approach to your life. Some of these include a retreat for psilocybin, meditation, spa, and nature. These retreats all have different takes on the holistic lifestyle approach, yet all share the same core principle – improving and maintaining your health through natural and sustainable methods.
By looking at the entire picture, holistic methods allow us to explore ways to reduce stress both mentally and physically in order to support our GIT health in a holistic manner that recognizes the interconnectedness of the body and mind.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is an important part of maintaining overall GIT health. When it comes to exercise and improving GIT health, the benefits range from improved digestion to a stronger immune system to better sleep.
A holistic approach to exercise means getting enough physical activity for the entire body, which can include aerobics, strength training, and stretching – each type of exercise provides an array of health benefits in its own way. Remember to try and exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
It’s important to find an exercise routine that works best for you and find ways to make it enjoyable – whether that’s joining a running club or meeting up with friends for a yoga class. With regular physical activity and focusing on the importance of your whole well-being without neglecting any area, you’ll be well on your way toward optimal GIT health.
Eat Food Rich in Polyphenols
Eating food rich in polyphenols is a great way to improve your GIT health. Polyphenols are found in many foods, from vegetables and legumes to nuts, seeds and whole grains. As well as providing a broad range of antioxidants that help fight inflammation, polyphenols can stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria within the gut microbiome.
Incorporating holistic methods such as healthy eating helps ensure we fully nourish and benefit our bodies with every meal. Make sure to add plenty of polyphenol-rich foods into your meals on a daily basis for better gut health.
Give Up Unhealthy Habits and Limit Alcohol Consumption, Avoid Artificial Sweeteners and Don’t Smoke
By now, you already know that GIT health is an important factor in achieving overall well-being. To keep it healthy, it’s vital to pay attention to strategies and habits that will help maintain proper digestive functioning. These strategies include avoiding excessive alcohol consumption (limiting yourself to one glass of wine a day), abstaining from artificial sweeteners or flavor enhancers (like MSG), and quitting smoking.
By avoiding these substances and incorporating beneficial practices into your daily lifestyle, you can optimize your GIT health and support an all-around healthier you.
Conclusion
All of these tips are evidence-based, and incorporating them into your lifestyle can help improve GIT health. Undoubtedly combining all these tips into a single strategy to form a holistic approach will be the most effective. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone is the same, and what works for one person might not work for another. Therefore, it’s important to listen to your body and find what works best for you. The most important thing is to be patient and consistent with your approach.
