Anxiety can take over your life and limit your potential; socially, personally, and professionally. It can make you avoid aspects of your life that are crucial for personal and professional growth. While there are numerous reasons why anxiety surfaces in a person, gut health plays a vital role. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. Eating a diet with a lot of fried, frozen, and fast foods can cause an imbalance in your gut and your mental well-being. Improper nutrition leaves gaps that can be filled with anxiety.
Gut Health and Brain
There is a reason why people often refer to “gut feeling” during conversations. It is because there is a connection between our gut health and the brain. It not only reflects upon our physical health but also our mental health. Starting from the way we think, what we think about, our mood, ability to process thoughts, and refrain from negative thoughts. In scientific terms, the ‘gut-brain’ is referred to as the Enteric Nervous System (ENS).
The ENS houses more than 100 million cells, covering the entire area from the esophagus to the rectum. While the gut-brain isn’t capable of controlling your ability to drive or keep accounts. It certainly transmits information to our brain that can potentially cause mood swings, anxiety, and even depression.
Improve Gut Health and Reduce Anxiety
Your mood and mental health depend largely on the signals that your gut health sends to your brain. So, to keep anxiety at bay or in control, keeping your gut health in good condition is essential. The best ways to go about it are to eat healthily, drink a lot of water, maintain a proper sleep cycle, reduce stress, and exercise regularly. Taking probiotics and digestive supplements are recommended as well
