Self Care = Gut Care
The term ‘self-care’ often creates a vision of being an activity of sheer indulgence, maybe something we need to pay for or a trip. Self care is about day to day activities that we do for ourselves to strengthen our health and wellbeing which impact your gut health.
The World Health Organization defines self care as, “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.”
According to this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed. It is all the steps that you can take to manage your well being by managing the daly stressors to achieve good physical and mental health.
To each of us it could mean something different, depends on what you need and what you enjoy. I love this definition as it is aligned with my Four Pillars of Gut health for keeping my irritable bowel stable.
Seeking medical help or a practitioner to support your gut health is important. How can you get better if you don’t get help. Asking for help is about ‘selfcare’ not weakness, or embarrassment.
In addition to seeing a practitioner, there are a lot of small steps daily that you can add into your routine to support your wellbeing.
On a daily basis incorporating practices to diffuse stress. Be it changing perspective on situations, spending time getting to know a colleague’s perspective, going for a walk at lunch..
I actually practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day, especially when other activities may not be an option. So calming…
Laughter! Truly is medicine, looking at the lighter side of life. Sharing a smile even with a stranger, or a laugh.
Listening to your favourite tunes commuting to work, or while walking and connecting with nature.
Boundary setting? How much time do you pencil into your calendar for yourself? Carving a space for quite time, to connect with your thoughts is important. Or time to go to the gym? Or other activity that you enjoy which will give you peace and relaxation. Relaxation also comes from boundaries around technology, like our smart phones. When I worked from, discovered how all consuming work can be when it is one with my home. After a while I had a cut off time for checking emails, for the day. It really made a difference in winding down for the day, and better sleep.
How well do you feed yourself ? Eating, nutrition to fuel and keep bowel flowing. Learning about foods that irritate your bowels and those that support it. Making the changes in your diet to help. you feel better.
I can go on about different activities and each one of us can also think of many others that appeal to us supporting gut health, mental health and overall wellbeing.
The key point is really, to make these shifts and sustain the changes. Consistency helps to build on a strong foundation of gut health. Often that is the most challenging part. Change the path to get stronger and healthier.
Do you need help? Connect with me.