This new year may look socially different than years past, and considering the added stress, limited sleep and typical holiday overindulgence most of us experienced last month, it’s even more necessary than usual to let our bodies recover and regenerate in this post-holiday season. Additionally, the holidays can bring anxiety, sadness and depression to many, and in light of the current pandemic, these emotions have likely been heightened. These stressors can take a great toll on our health, particularly our brain and gut health.
In fact, we seemingly don’t have a problem with one, without it affecting the other. The brain and gut are intimately connected, which means that triggering factors that affect one, will ultimately affect the other. An imbalanced intestine can send signals to the brain, just as an imbalanced brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person’s stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause, or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression (Harvard).
Patients who suffer from autoimmune disorders can be among those who suffer the greatest during the holiday season, making the post-holiday recovery period even more critical to restoring overall health. Gut dysbiosis, or imbalance of the intestinal microorganisms, plays a major role in the development of autoimmune diseases.
Conversely, good gut health is vital to the management of autoimmune-related symptoms. With the connection between the gut and brain being so significant, you can see how there could be a vicious cycle between mental wellness, gut function and overall physical health and how the heightened emotions of this past year’s holiday season might have exacerbated this cycle, especially for those who are autoimmune-compromised.
Here are 5 tips to help restore balance and improve your brain and gut health this year.
1. Limit inflammatory foods
It is so easy to overindulge in the delicious traditions of the holidays. Unfortunately, many of the seasonal favorites come with inflammatory side effects that can spike the autoimmune response or even trigger the onset of autoimmune diseases. Alcohol, sugary foods, gluten, dairy and processed meats are just a few inflammatory foods that we should all try to avoid, particularly in the weeks and months after the holidays. It’s fine to treat yourself, but moderation is key. If you have known sensitivities to foods, avoid those too, as they may cause added inflammation. Also, make sure to add in plenty of green veggies and whole foods that are rich in nutrients. Remember to eat for your health and pay special attention to appropriate portions.
2. Get plenty of sleep
A lack of sleep can cause heightened emotions, sensitivity and difficulty focusing. After such an emotional time of year, adequate sleep is especially important. With the current climate making travel and family gatherings risky, many will struggle emotionally, and a lack of sleep can intensify that. If you are having trouble sleeping, speak to your healthcare provider, as it could also be an indicator of gut imbalance.
