Gut health is all the rage at the moment. But what many people are failing to realise is that gut health goes far beyond what you eat. While the food and drink that we consume is an important factor in maintaining a healthy gut, there are also a number of super-simple daily habits that you can incorporate into your life, which your gut will thank you for.

1. Get 8 Hours Of Sleep

If you’ve got a health-related issue, there’s a good chance sleep will be mentioned somewhere in the solution. While sleep alone won’t solve your problems, gut-related or not, it certainly won’t do you any harm. A bad night’s sleep will impact many of your bodily functions, including your digestive system. It’s also important to consider the indirect effects of sleep; a strong night’s sleep should leave you feeling refreshed, clear-headed and motivated, making it easier to maintain a gut-friendly lifestyle.

2. Morning Yoga Session

You may be wondering what benefits yoga could possibly bring to your gut, but mental health plays an important role in maintaining physical health. In terms of gut health, studies have proven that stress can actually be the cause of many issues in our gut. Given that yoga is a fantastic activity for increasing mindfulness and calmness, it’s clear to see why it would support a healthy gut. It’s also an extremely simple activity to incorporate into your morning routine. Following a beginner-friendly video online after you wake is probably the most convenient option, but there’s also an increasing number of yoga studios if you’d prefer a more social experience. 

Read: The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet for Overall Health

3. High-fibre Breakfast

Fibre is crucial to gut function, and many gut superfoods are high in fibre content. Supplying your body with a breakfast which is high in fibre will set you up for a strong day of gut health. Be sure to get your fibre from whole food sources to receive even more benefits.

Some examples of tasty, high fibre breakfasts include:

• Scrambled eggs on sourdough bread

• Oats with fruit and dark chocolate shavings

• Greek yoghurt with granola and honey

4. Stay Hydrated

If you find yourself sitting at a desk for long periods, a good tip is to have a glass of water in front of you at all times. Staying hydrated is a bit like getting 8 hours of sleep each night in the sense that the benefits will be felt in many areas, your gut being one of them.

As well as contributing to your overall health, water helps the digestion process and helps protect against bowel issues like constipation. If you are wondering how much water you should consume daily, most experts recommend drinking between 1.5 and 2 litres of water a day, although the exact figure will depend on your health and activity levels.

5. Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics are getting a lot of attention in the gut health world. You can think of them as food for the good bacteria in your gut. Probiotics are the reason why so many people are turning to fermented dairy products in an attempt to support their gut. Food like cottage cheese, kefir and Greek yogurt are all high in probiotics.

If you need a little extra help adding probiotics to your diet, you can do so through supplements, which you’ll find in any health & wellbeing store.

6. Get Your Steps In

Research suggests that there is a relationship between exercise and the gut microbiome, with exercise reducing inflammation and maintaining a healthy metabolism. If you’re not currently active, a realistic way to up your activity levels is by focusing on steps. Experts recommend around 10,000 steps a day, so it can be wise to keep track of your steps, especially if you are working in a sedentary job with little movement required.

7. Make Time For Hobbies

Maintaining gut health isn’t all hard work. As already mentioned, mental health plays an important role in maintaining gut health. The easiest way to do this is by making time for activities that you find enjoyable. This can be as extreme as training for a physical challenge like a marathon, or as simple as making time to play with your dog.

Regardless of where you find enjoyment, hobbies reduce stress, and as we’ve already covered, eliminating stress is a great way to support your gut’s health. 

8. Resist The Urge For Late-Night Snacks

While gut health isn’t all about what you eat, sugary snacks just before bedtime are a surefire way to upset your gut. If you have a sweet tooth and like to treat yourself in the evenings, consider how you can replace your evening chocolate bar with a more gut-friendly alternative. 

Examples of snacks that are good for your gut include: kefir yogurts, hummus, dark chocolate and chia pudding.