Let us be the first to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day is focused on celebrating our different types of love. For some, that might be romantic love, but for others, Valentine’s Day can celebrate self-love or your relationship with close friends and family. Like other holidays, Valentine’s Day is often characterized by a hearty dinner, decadent desserts, and potentially a couple of glasses of wine.
Many of these activities can cause an interruption to your digestive process, leading to potential digestive complications. Luckily, there are some practical ways to support your digestive system this Valentine’s Day so that you can enjoy the holiday worry-free. We have also compiled a list of ways to show yourself some extra love tomorrow and every day following!
How to Best Prepare Your Digestive System for Holiday Festivities
Despite what most people believe, sugar can be a part of a healthy diet. It falls under carbohydrates, essential macronutrients that one’s body needs to thrive. The silent killers are the added and processed sugars in several dishes and beverages. While small amounts of processed sugars will not make or break your overall health, a sufficient amount can cause inflammation and other adverse issues to develop in the body. This situation, coupled with the lack of nutrients one would typically get from a healthier alternative, is what causes us to experience digestive discomfort.
While treating yourself to a tasty dessert this Valentine’s Day will not negatively impact your health in the long run, it can leave you feeling unwell the hours or days after. Preparing your body ahead of time can help you avoid these unwanted symptoms.
Hydration is more important than ever when you plan on indulging in sweet treats because the excess sugar can further exacerbate dehydration if it is already present. Make sure to prioritize your hydration levels before your Valentine’s Day festivities. A digestive enzyme supplement that contains gut health enzymes is also a great way to prioritize your gut health this coming holiday. Digestive enzymes help your body properly break down the nutrients you consume so that you can reap their benefits and avoid digestive ailments such as bloating and abdominal pain.
Lastly, mindful eating tactics will be your best friend when faced with a hearty meal. Be sure to eat slowly and listen to your body’s signals. If you are feeling full near the end of the meal, take the chance to listen to your body and save the rest for leftovers rather than trying to indulge all at once. This will give your body the time it needs to digest and help you avoid feeling unwell due to overeating.
The Brain-Gut Health Connection and Why Self-Love is So Crucial
Regardless of the different relationships you have in your life, we want to emphasize the importance of honoring your relationship with yourself! As humans, we often forget to show appreciation to ourselves, and what better day to do so than the day of love?
Self-love helps to reduce stress levels, anxiety, and feelings of self-doubt. It is crucial to living a fulfilled and happy life. Things can take a turn for the worse in life, but if you are confident and know how to love yourself, you are less likely to be impacted by said obstacles. Every day, we are given the gift of learning how to love ourselves, and Valentine’s Day can be a great chance to show yourself that extra bit of appreciation for this incredible feat.
Let us not forget that supporting one’s mental health is also supporting one’s digestive health. There is a direct link between your mental and digestive health, so be sure to take care of both to avoid negatively impacting one or the other. While mainstream Valentine’s Day activities tend to involve showing appreciation to another person in your life, we want to inspire you with ideas about how you can show yourself that love!
Valentine’s Day Activities to Do On Your Own This Year
- Cook Your Favorite or Special Recipe - Is cooking a passion of yours? It can be hard to cook that elaborate meal you love during the week, but Valentine’s Day can be an excellent opportunity. Think about something you have been craving recently or a traditional dish you love to make and get cooking – brownie points for those who include a gut-healthy ingredient in their dish!
- Go on A Sunset Walk or Hike - Sunset time is one of the dreamiest moments of each day. Take the time this Valentine’s Day to unplug, go walking or hiking in your neighborhood, and soak in the last rays of the sun for the day. All types of movement are also a great way to give yourself a natural boost of happy endorphins and can leave you feeling lighter than before!
- Start A New Book - If reading is your passion, you might struggle with making time for it during the week. This Valentine’s Day, prioritize what makes you happy and curl up with a good book on the couch. You can reach for that self-love or romantic comedy book to get even more in the holiday spirit!
- Create a Relaxing Oasis - Your local spa is not the only place where serene environments can exist. You can recreate a spa experience right at home with simple steps. You can make a homemade face mask, draw up a hot bubble bath for yourself, and/or participate in an extra-long meditative experience. This is an especially great idea for those who feel physically drained from a long day at work.
- Visit Your Local Cafe in the Morning - Are you an avid coffee drinker who tries to stick to at-home coffee due to your budget? We all know coffee runs can add up, but a special day like Valentine’s Day is an excellent opportunity to treat yourself and get that tasty beverage you love. It can be a great way to start your morning with a smile.