If you’ve ever felt a flutter in your stomach from nerves or made a decision based on instinct, you’ve experienced the connection between the brain and the gut. The gastrointestinal tract is responsive to emotions, and feelings such as anger, happiness, and anxiety can manifest in the gut even before we’ve fully understood them emotionally.

Your overall health, both physical and emotional, is closely connected to the health of your digestive system. An unhealthy gut can negatively affect your entire body. Since each person’s biological makeup is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all diet or lifestyle that guarantees optimal gut health.

In my individual health coaching program, we will address gut health from both a primary food and secondary food perspective.  What do I mean by ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ foods? When it comes to improving gut health, most if not all of the focus is on diet, referred to as secondary food in the health coaching space. While diet is an important aspect of gut health, it is only one half (or less) of the equation. Primary food refers to the non-dietary elements that sustain us, such as career satisfaction, relationships, spirituality, physical activity, finances, and other aspects of lifestyle. Insufficient satisfaction in these areas can often signal stress or misaligned priorities. Over time, ignoring these wellness facets can lead to feelings of depletion and increased stress, which may contribute to more significant health problems. On the other hand, dedicating time to self-care and enriching one’s life through these primary foods can foster positive emotions and overall wellness, thus supporting better gut health.

The connection between gut and brain health is a fascinating area of health science the continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Together, by understanding and nurturing this connection through diet, lifestyle choices, and stress management, we can achieve balance and resilience in both your mental and physical health.