How Relaxation and Sleep Heal Your Gut

A lack of relaxation and deep sleep can negatively affect your gut microbiome, which can in turn, lead to additional health issues. When we’re feeling high levels of stress or we’re going through one of life’s rough patches, our sleep suffers. We know that during the deepest stages of sleep the brain ‘takes out the trash’ and since the brain and gut communicate with each other, quality sleep impacts the health of the gut and vice-versa.

If you’re not getting good restorative sleep and have gut problems, here are 6 things you can do to help yourself heal.

• Make a conscious effort to get enough relaxation and sleep time. Try to get 7-8 hours each night. Those late night energy bursts may make you feel productive, but they’re health killers and your body will pay the price.
• Have an evening routine to get your mind prepared for sleep. Get into bed by 10pm
• Eliminate or reduce eating and screen time after 8pm
• No caffeine, no alcohol. These are notorious sleep disrupters.
• Restore your gut microbiome. Eat a variety of probiotic foods and beverages, including water kefir, kombucha, milk kefir, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh and miso.
• Take your vacations. You need healthy restorative breaks from your daily life. Once a year, take a vacation that takes you somewhere new. It’s great for your brain and well-being.