Written by: Trish Whetstone, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Ever felt like you’re stuck in a “creative rut”? Feeling frustrated by a foggy brain that doesn't seem to have the “output” it used to? Are you wishing you had more energy to “play” in your business or work?
There’s a secret to creating lasting energy, optimal focus, and enhanced creativity. It might not be what you think.
It’s all about fueling that mind-body connection, and creating a solid foundation for physical and mental health from within so that your creative output can flow freely.
How do you do that? Tap into your gut. Yes, it’s power expands beyond regulating digestion.
Here’s 3 ways to harness the power of your gut, and unleash that creative flow you’ve been needing to grow your passion project, next work presentation, or latest business endeavor.
Breath deeply into the belly, your creative center.
The gut has often been recognized as the seat of our intuition, or “inner knowing”. That’s right, your brain may not be the best organ to consult for creativity. Ever notice how the more you think about creating, the more your brain can complicate the process? On the other hand, ever felt like a creation just “flows” out of you?
Consulting your body instead of your mind is a simple tip to ignite the “flow”. Focus your attention on the sensation of air filling up your abdomen, and the gentle release as you exhale. Practice this a few times, and revel in an abundance of new ideas, and a calmer nervous system (more on this later!)
Fuel up with gut-friendly foods.
It’s no surprise that what we feed our gut matters. This can become fuel for your creative process as well. How? Eating a variety of wholesome, nutritious foods, particularly plants (think of all the fruits, veggies, whole grains and beans you can get your hands on) promotes a healthy gut microbiome.
This ecosystem in your gut is like a rainforest, thriving with a variety of plants, and full of marvelous living “bugs” (microbes like bacteria), responsible for maintaining homeostasis within your whole being.
When your gut microbiome is nice and balanced, you experience better focus, more mental clarity, less fatigue, and optimal energy! Good gut health also promotes restful sleep, which is when many of our creative ideas can be processed. You likely know how a poor night's sleep can starve that creative buzz.
Nourish (all of) your nervous system(s)
Did you know you have multiple nervous systems? Your gut actually has its own nervous system. That’s why it’s often called the “second brain”. When you prioritize your digestive health, you nourish this enteric nervous system. This allows you to get the most energy out of nutritious foods, improve your immune response and beat brain fog. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, and it also directly affects digestion.
The easiest way to nourish both systems is to practice a Mindful Meal. Here’s how:
Be really present with your food, by using all of your senses. Take time to smell the aromas, notice the colors on your plate (remember a colorful array of produce makes your gut happy), and taste every flavor.
Chew each bite thoroughly. Digestion starts in your mouth after all! Eating at a slow and steady pace sends signals to your brian and body that you are safe, and can therefore remain calm.
Breathe between bites. Yes, more breathing. Why? Because deep, conscious breath is the most efficient way to turn off the sympathetic nervous system response (think stress), and turn on the parasympathetic response (think rest). When your parasympathetic nervous system response is active, your creativity can flow!
The next time you’re struggling to get creative, focus on your gut. Some of these tools you can use in the moments before creation, others require building new gut healthy habits, and thus building that creative “muscle” at other points in your day, even mealtime. Wherever you start, remember that a healthy you fosters a creative you. Breathe, fuel up and nourish. Your creativity will naturally follow.
Needing support in creating a sustainably healthy gut? Trish Whetstone is a Certified Health, Life & Nutrition Coach specializing in Intuitive Gut Health. Follow Trish on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website for more ways to finally feel good in your gut.
Trish Whetstone, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Trish Whetstone is The Feel Good Gut Coach, a holistic health specialist, stress expert, and intuitive eating advocate. Trish received degrees in Psychology & Public Health from The State University of New York at Fredonia and worked within the non-profit world as an Educator, Coordinator & Director. After waking up too many times in her early twenties feeling like she "got hit by a bus", Trish said enough was enough. She healed her gut after years of struggling with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and became a Certified Health, Life, and Nutrition Coach to help others do the same. Through her personal coaching business, Health Coaching by Trish, she helps busy professionals with nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle change, so they can feel good in their gut!
