Gut-Friendly Food for the Holidays
During 
the holidays’ gut-friendly food is so important! What use to be one of the most relaxing times out of the year, holidays have now become filled with extra commitments and stress creating anxiety and feelings of self-medicating or overindulging; whether it be alcohol, food, or other prescribed medications. Extra additional stress builds up when we feel the need to shop for presents, meal planning, have guests arriving, and the need to complete work commitments. The ongoing COVID issues and politics as well as community differences add to it as well. The simplest of tasks of wrapping a few gifts sends you over the edge! This time of the year can build up to more stress than we can endure.
No matter what is happening around us in our lives we still need to allow ourselves time to take care of our mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects. Creating a daily routine of meditation, exercise, and monthly care such as massages or a facial is important. Feeling
overwhelmed can also create cravings for unhealthy foods. Taking care of our physical bodies by eating healthy foods will allow us to feel better and retain a high immune system.
When we do not eat healthily it creates bloating and can cause higher blood pressure which raises our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the primary hormone that causes stress. Unhealthy foods also create inflammation and fatigue. Eating healthy allows our moods to remain balanced and our metabolism to work for us instead of against us.
What does Cortisol do?
There are several good things about cortisol, such as increasing our blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and also helping to regulate our sleep cycles. Cortisol also manages how our bodies use carbs, fats, and proteins. It also helps control our blood pressure.
However, it’s known as the ‘stress hormone” because it’s released by our adrenal glands when we are under stress. (or like physical stress such as inflammation). Its assists in managing 
our fight or flight instinct, and that’s a good thing!
However, with that stated, Cortisol is only healthy for a short period of time and is used to protect us. (Like when we need to run from danger.) It gives our bodies the energy we need when we really need it in a short-term situation. The other side of the Cortisol coin is too much Cortisol in our bodies for long periods of time leads to higher blood pressure and more inflammation.
Eating for Health
Our Cortisol levels drop when we learn to manage our stress. Eating healthy foods is one way of 
assisting in this process. This is not about the “get destressed quick” game. (Although some foods can help) This is about changing your unhealthy life patterns out for healthy patterns that create that feel-good life we want to live! Try to really look at how vibrant the color of the food is that you are eating.
Foods that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, and Vitamin B12, and magnesium-rich foods have a huge benefit when it comes to reducing inflammation, metabolizing cortisol, as well as relaxing the mind and body. Protein-rich foods found in meat, fish, poultry, beans, and legumes promote balanced blood sugar levels.
Gut-Friendly Food Health
However, at the end of the day, it all boils down to our Gut Health. About 80% of our immune system is due to our gut health. Probiotic-rich and fermented foods can help balance blood sugar and also reduce cholesterol. Kombucha, Kefir, Greek Yogurt and Sauerkraut are great gut balancers.
Obviously, there is non-gut-friendly food that causes stress and is best to avoid, such as alcohol, caffeine, high sugar foods, and the simple carbs in pastries and cakes…and of course soda pop!
Quick De-stressers
If 
you are looking for quick stress relief foods high in magnesium are a good choice for natural assistance. Magnesium assists in relaxing the body, which helps us to relax mentally as well. Magnesium is also a great mineral for our heart rhythm, normalizing our blood pressure, creating strong bones, and decreasing the risk of chronic disease.
Dark Chocolate never hurt anyone’s feelings either! Just be sure it’s at least 90% cacao. Great for the end of the day and to relax in the evenings. Allow yourself to let it melt in your mouth and savor the flavor!
Taking care of yourself on all levels is important. It’s not only about one approach but
by paying attention to all of the aspects of ourselves. Lowering our stress levels is important. While we can’t worry about controlling everything, we can impact our health by making wise decisions about the food we do eat. It is actually one thing we can control.
Balancing Our Gut
Returning Balance Therapies offers Colon Hydrotherapy to help get your gut on the right track! 
Call Christa Wagner to find out more about Gut-Friendly food and schedule a Colon Hydrotherapy appointment. Also, When you are ready for a relaxing massage, trigger point massage, or perhaps a deep tissue massage, the staff at Returning Balance Therapies is here to provide a professional heart-centered and nurturing massage therapy treatment.
Massage is part of our body’s maintenance protocol and should not be left off of the calendar!
Eating healthy and staying spiritually connected with your belief systems, exercise and thinking healthy thoughts all create emotional stability, which enables you to feel the joy in your life that you deserve!