“Top 5 Signs Your Gut Needs Support”—

Top 5 Signs Your Gut Needs Support

Is Your Gut Trying to Tell You Something?

We often think of digestion as something that just “happens,” but your gut is actually a powerful communicator. When things are off, your body sends subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) signals that it’s time to give your digestive system a little extra love. Let’s explore the top five signs your gut might be calling out for support—and what you can do about it.

Why Listen to Your Gut?

Your gut isn’t just about breaking down food. It’s the home of your microbiome (trillions of helpful bacteria!), a key player in your immune system, and a major influence on your mood and energy. When your gut is out of balance, it can ripple into every part of your wellbeing. Even small symptoms are worth noticing—your body is always working to get your attention in gentle ways.

The Top 5 Signs Your Gut Needs Support

1. Frequent Bloating or Gas

A little bloating after a big meal is normal, but if you’re regularly feeling puffy, gassy, or uncomfortable, your gut may be struggling. Common causes include food sensitivities, stress, or an imbalance in your gut bacteria.

Gentle tip: Try keeping a simple food journal to track what you eat and how you feel. Practicing mindful eating—slowing down and chewing well—can also help ease digestive discomfort.

2. Irregular Digestion (Constipation or Diarrhea)

Your body thrives on routine, and so does your digestion. If you’re experiencing frequent constipation, diarrhea, or unpredictable bathroom habits, it could be a sign your gut needs support.

Gentle tip: Focus on eating more fiber-rich, plant-forward foods and staying well-hydrated. A daily walk or gentle movement can also help keep things moving.

3. Unexplained Fatigue or Low Energy

Did you know your gut health affects how energized you feel? When your digestive system isn’t working optimally, your body may not absorb nutrients as effectively—leaving you feeling tired or sluggish.

Gentle tip: Prioritize gut-friendly foods like leafy greens, beans, berries, and whole grains. Notice if certain foods leave you feeling more energized than others.

4. Food Sensitivities or New Intolerances

If you suddenly find yourself reacting to foods you used to enjoy, your gut lining might be sending you a message. A stressed or imbalanced gut can make you more sensitive to certain foods, leading to discomfort or digestive upset.

Gentle tip: Pay attention to patterns—are there foods that consistently cause symptoms? Consider reaching out for professional guidance to help pinpoint triggers and heal your gut.

5. Skin Issues (Acne, Eczema, Rashes)

Your skin and your gut are surprisingly connected. When your gut is inflamed or out of balance, it can show up as breakouts, rashes, or flare-ups of eczema.

Gentle tip: Support your gut with anti-inflammatory foods and plenty of hydration. Remember, beautiful skin often starts from within!

What To Do If You Notice These Signs

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and small changes can make a big difference. Start by:

• Eating more whole, plant-forward foods
• Drinking enough water
• Managing stress with gentle movement or mindfulness
• Getting enough sleep

Consistency is key. If your symptoms persist or you’re not sure where to start, personalized support can help you get to the root of the issue.

How Be Your Best Can Help

At Be Your Best, we believe in a holistic, individualized approach to gut health. Whether you need a custom meal plan, expert guidance, or a supportive coach to walk with you every step of the way, we’re here for you—virtually, wherever you are.

Curious about what’s possible for your health? Book a free discovery call or check out our Done For You Menu Program for simple, nourishing meal ideas tailored to your needs.

Listen to Your Gut—It Knows You Best

Your gut is always communicating with you. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, consider it an invitation to nurture yourself from the inside out. Ready to get started? Download our free guide, “12 Foods for Boosting Vitality,” or reach out for personalized support.

Stay well and be your best—your gut (and your whole body) will thank you!

“Gut Health 101: What It Is and Why It Matters”—

Gut Health 101: What It Is and Why It Matters

Welcome!

If you’ve heard the buzz about gut health and wondered what the hype is all about, you’re in the right place. At Be Your Best, we believe a happy gut is the foundation for feeling vibrant, balanced, and energized—no matter your age or where you are on your wellness journey. Let’s break down the basics of gut health and why it deserves a front-row seat in your self-care routine.

What Is Gut Health, Really?

Your “gut” is more than just your stomach—it’s your entire digestive tract, starting at your mouth and ending… well, you know where! But here’s what makes it truly fascinating: inside your gut lives a bustling community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. This ecosystem is called your microbiome.

A healthy gut microbiome helps you:

• Break down and absorb nutrients from food
• Support your immune system
• Balance your mood and energy levels
• Keep inflammation in check

When your gut is in balance, you feel good from the inside out. When it’s out of balance, you might notice things like bloating, fatigue, or even changes in your mood.

Why Does Gut Health Matter?

You might be surprised to learn just how connected your gut is to the rest of your body. Here’s why caring for your gut is a game-changer:

1. Energy & Vitality

A thriving gut helps you absorb more nutrients from your food, which means more energy for your busy life.

2. Mood & Mental Wellbeing

Ever heard of the “gut-brain connection”? Your gut and brain are in constant communication. An imbalanced gut can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even low mood.

3. Immunity

About 70% of your immune system lives in your gut. Keeping your gut happy helps you fend off illness and recover faster.

4. Women’s Health & Hormones

Gut health plays a big role in hormone balance—especially for women. If you’re experiencing hormone shifts, your gut may be part of the puzzle.

5. Weight Management

A healthy gut supports a healthy metabolism and can make weight loss or maintenance easier and more sustainable.

Common Signs Your Gut Needs Support:

• Bloating or gas
• Food sensitivities
• Fatigue or “brain fog”
• Skin issues
• Irregular digestion

You’re not alone if any of these sound familiar! The good news: small changes can make a big difference.

What Affects Gut Health?

Several everyday factors can help or hinder your gut. Here are the big ones:

• Diet: Processed foods, excess sugar, and low fiber can disrupt your gut, while whole, plant-forward foods support it.
• Stress: Chronic stress can throw your gut out of balance.
• Sleep: Poor sleep can impact your digestion and microbiome.
• Medications: Antibiotics and some other meds can disrupt gut bacteria.
• Lifestyle: Movement and hydration are key for a happy gut.

Myth Buster: You don’t need fancy supplements or expensive cleanses to support your gut. Simple, consistent habits are often the most powerful!

Simple Steps to Support Your Gut

Ready to show your gut some love? Start here:

• Eat more fiber-rich, plant-forward foods (think: veggies, beans, fruits, whole grains)
• Stay hydrated—your gut loves water!
• Manage stress with deep breaths, gentle movement, or meditation
• Prioritize sleep (aim for 7–8 hours)
• Move your body daily, even if it’s just a walk
• Try fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi (if you like them!)

Remember, every small step counts. Consistency beats perfection.

When Should You Get Support?

If you’re struggling with ongoing gut symptoms, or if you’re not sure where to start, you don’t have to go it alone. At Be Your Best, we offer individualized, holistic guidance—whether you’re looking for a custom meal plan, accountability, or just a friendly expert to help you connect the dots.

Ready to Nurture Your Gut?

Your gut is the gateway to feeling your best. Why not take the first step today? Download our free guide, “12 Foods for Boosting Vitality”, or book a free discovery call to chat about your goals. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Stay well and be your best—inside and out!

Start a New Journaling Practice

Whether you have never journaled before, or you want to start a new one, Spring is an ideal time for a fresh journal. It is the perfect time to reexamine your life and make new goals for yourself before the next season comes around.

Buy a Brand New Journal

The first step to starting a new journaling practice in the spring is to get a new journal. It is best to get a brand new journal any time you change your focus for the journaling practice. That way, if you are looking for a specific page you wrote important information in, you know what journal to look for.

It can be fun to get a decorative one for this season, whether you go with a solid color that makes you think of spring, or you go with spring flowers like daisies or daffodils. There are also many accessories you can use, from pens and colored pencils, to stickers and embellishments. Have some fun with it!

Make 90-Day Goals

Starting a new journal in the Spring or any other season is the ideal time for 90-day goals. These are goals you intend to accomplish over the next 3 months. This allows you a little more time than something you do this month, but by shortening it shorter than a year or bi-annual goals, you are more committed to achieving them. Use the journal to create your 90-day goals, then add new entries every time you complete a task helping you to work toward those goals.

Think of Some Spring Themes or Prompts

Still not sure what to write about? You’re not alone! A common reason people never start journaling is because they don’t know what to write about, but this shouldn’t stop you. In the Spring, you can use a theme for the season or a type of prompt that gives you a topic to write about. You don’t have to use these every day, but they are very helpful during days when you have a little writing block.

Here are some ideas for themes or prompts that are perfect this time of year:

What is your favorite thing about spring?

Tell a story from your childhood during the spring.

What is your favorite spring flower?

Talk about new beginnings and why you like them this time of year.

If you could have a dream garden, what would it include?

What are some healthy changes to make this Spring?

As you can see, there are many different ways to approach Spring as a topic or theme for your journal.

Meditation and mindfulness are two practices that often go hand-in-hand. Mindfulness is all about appreciating and living in the moment, while meditation lets you focus on one singular thing and relax your mind and body. Put them together and you have an excellent self-care practice for the Spring.

What is Meditation?

First, let’s go over what each of these practices is, beginning with meditation. When you meditate, you are trying to reach a state of calm. Instead of thinking about all the things worrying you or stressing you out, you are trying to think about nothing at all. In some cases, you will focus on just one thing. You want to clear your mind, relax your body, and really just let everything else float away. This does take a lot of practice, so the more you do it, the easier it will be for you.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is very similar, but you are not actually in a meditation, unless you are combining them. With mindfulness, you want to always stay in the present. Instead of worrying about the past or thinking about the future, you only think about and appreciate what is happening right now. This is often used for people with anxiety, depression, or who are trying to stick to mindful eating. It is another thing that takes practice, but is well worth it in the end.

How to Start This Practice

If you haven’t figured it out by now, you will be able to combine these into one practice called mindfulness meditation. You are going to relax, clear your mind, and just focus on your present state. This often begins with sitting in a comfortable, quiet place, and just breathing for a few minutes. The deep breathing is going to relax your body and help you to let go of all those worries and concerns going around in your head.

Just focus on your breathing and nothing else, before you start with the mindfulness practice. Once you are fully relaxed, think about the present moment, and what is happening right now. Experience your current feelings and emotions, but nothing in the past or future. This is very important to mindfulness and living only in the present.

You can do this in short bursts of time, or even while journaling as you relax and just try to focus on now. It is okay to experience some negative emotions, but focus on releasing them after accepting them, then moving on.