Ixcela

Lifestyle and Mindfulness

How does it relate to the gut?

The mind plays an important role in your overall health. Ultimately, the mind controls many of the fundamental processes critical to internal health. Lifestyle encompasses exercise, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and mindfulness. 

The Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis (GBA) has recently gained more attention due to its emerging importance in health. The GBA is a complex set of interconnected pathways that link the gut to the nervous system. It is now clear that the brain receives continual messages from the gut, processes this information along with information received from the environment, and then sends messages back to the gut. It is widely recognized that stress can adversely affect your gut microbiome. When chronic stress is exerted on the body, it results in an altered gut function.      

Meditation

Evidence now supports meditation and yoga as a means to regulate stress response and assist in suppressing chronic inflammation. Ixcela recommends that anyone new to meditation should begin with 10 minutes of meditation practice a day. You may find it useful to use an app to guide you through your practice. We recommend the apps Holistrio, Headspace, or Simply Being. It is important to remember that it is called meditation practice and not meditation perfect because it is all about improving. It may seem awkward at first, but stick with it!

To learn more about mindfulness techniques, check out 7 Yoga Poses to Aid in Digestion, and 3 Breathing Exercises to Try at Work.

About the Author

Jessica Petrucci has a background in biotechnology and is a certified yoga instructor. As a collegiate athlete, fitness has always been an important part of Jessica’s life. She takes a holistic approach to health, encompassing mind, body, and spirit. Coming from a place of personal experience, Jessica has seen how lifestyle and stress can take a toll on gut health and overall wellness. She strives to help others realize that, by living a well-balanced lifestyle, they can be the best and healthiest versions of themselves.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interested in learning more about Ixcela? Check out Ixcela’s microbiome test, personalized nutrition and fitness plans, and other tools to help you optimize your health.