Meditate on it!
There is, without doubt, a lot of abnormal stress in the world right now and many of us have been impacted directly and indirectly due to Covid19. We have blogged before about stress and the effects on the gut and it is common knowledge that stress is one of the greatest contributors to decreased gut health.
Day to day stress if managed well is ok, but when you experience prolonged periods of stress your body releases the hormone cortisole and the bodies response is to then release inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines. Inflammation in the body is the cause of many diseases and modern day ailments and we’ve been upping the stakes at Gut Happy with all our anti-inflammatory knowledge.
Without doubt the first rule of thumb in fighting off inflammation is diet and we have detailed that previously, but one thing that has been keeping us on the straight and narrow over this unbelievably stressful time is mediation. Mediation has been scientifically proven to not only help with reducing stress, but ongoing management as well as a host of other benefits.
There have been numerous scientific papers written on the link between stress and inflammation and it is widely accepted that the two are linked. In response to this there have been many studies conducted that now support the theory that meditation is a useful tool for the reduction, control and management of stress and related health issues.
Meditation can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, help with management of anxiety, can alleviate sleep problems, help deal with depression, increase energy levels and also aid in clearer thinking. So how to get started, well the internet is a great place if you don’t know anyone in your local area. At this time we are trying to support businesses who have had to move traditional trading to online and Ritual Yoga & Pilates have done that. They practice yoga and meditation and all live classes are currently free, so here is a great starting point.
If you haven’t tried meditation before, it can feel a little strange so guided meditation might be a great place to start. Sitting in front of a lit candle and practicing deep breathing is good and just a few minutes can be the start of getting you on a meditative journey. The art of stillness is difficult in our modern day lives and especially now when we are bombarded by a news cycle that is never ending. I for one have turned the TV off and am staying informed, by reading my news through reputable sites, rather than commercial talking head overload.
Every morning after I have exercised I sit and practice mindful mediation, sometimes guided, sometimes not and the effects have been amazingly positive. In fact, it has been a wonderful tonic in taking control of negative thoughts and learning to re-wire my brain to deal with depression and anxiety.
Some of us have a bit more time on our hands at home right now and others are busier than ever at work, but making time for some stress relieving mediation is a scientifically proven way to help deal with stress without it taking a toll on your overall health.
Stay safe and stay Gut Happy.
PS. just to let you all know we have our fantastic Partially Hydrolized Guar Gum back in stock.
The Gut Happy Girls
xxx