Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Does your gut health impact your mental health? Why must therapists consider their client’s physiological health when providing therapy? What are some health game-changing habits you should consider adding to your daily routine?
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about the intersection of gut health and mental health with Wade Lightheart and why it’s important you address this with your clients.
- Gut health symptoms therapists should look out for
- Questions therapists can ask their clients
- Health game-changing habits you should consider
Gut health symptoms therapists should look out for
As it turns out, a great deal of the neurochemicals that are used by our brain are manufactured from our food and probiotics in our gut which extracts key elements from the food and then converts them. For example, 95% of serotonin is produced by bacteria in the gut. (Wade Lightheart)
Gut health and a person’s daily activities have drastic implications for their mental health. For example, if a person is not exercising often, is not spending some time in the sun, is using blue light-emitting technology often, and eats a diet full of highly refined and sugary foods, they are almost certain to be at risk of poor mental health.
Sure, you could use pharmaceutical intervention and counseling, but at the end of the day, they have to put in the principles that go with our physiological biology. (Wade Lightheart)
Are your clients doing any of the below:
- Exercising?
- Getting daily sunshine?
- Reducing their anxiety someway?
- Spending a lot of time on their screens?
- Mostly eating natural whole foods or mostly processed and refined foods?
A lot of practitioners overlook these essential components that affect a person’s daily experience when it comes to addressing the state of their mental health.
Clients often need to be taught about the importance of and the relationship between their neurochemistry and their daily habits.
Questions therapists can ask their clients
In a session, therapists can encourage their clients to write down their daily activities and keep a light journal:
- What do you normally eat in a day?
- Did you exercise?
- How did you feel throughout the day?
- When do you usually go to bed and get up?
Very few people have actually made the connection between what they eat and how they feel, or if they have exercised or not and how they feel. (Wade Lightheart)
Health game-changing habits you should consider
What is your daily ritual where you are affirming the aspects that are leading you in a positive direction in life? (Wade Lightheart)
Three non-negotiables:
- Breathing practices like mediation or breathwork
- Drink water to hydrate properly.
- Exercise.
The rest:
- Get out into the sunlight (while using UV protection).
- Develop an exercise practice that is suited to your cognitive preferences such as cardio, lifting, or stretching like yoga. Or a little bit of everything.
- Learn how to manage your technology. Minimize blue light exposure.
- Mental beliefs and attitudes.
- Education, coaching, and testing. Explore your capabilities and refine them.
Useful Links mentioned in this episode:
- Visit BiOptimizers and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube
- For a special offer on BiOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough click here and use the code practice10
- Are you ready to reset your rest and get to work on your projects? Sign up to Slow Down School
- Use promo code ‘JOE’ to get three free months to try out TherapyNotes, no strings attached, and remember, telehealth is included with every subscription free.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Check out these additional resources:
- How slowing down to reflect makes you more productive with Rick Pastoor | PoP 706
- Apply to work together
- Sign up for Next Level Practice — Cohort Open!
- Events – click on the event’s dropdown
- Sign up to join the free webinars and events here
- Podcast Launch School
- Practice of the Practice Podcast Network
- Free resources to help you start, grow, and scale
- Apply to work with us — a decision-making matrix for your next steps
Meet Joe Sanok
Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners that are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.
Thanks For Listening!
Feel free to leave a comment below or share this podcast on social media by clicking on one of the social media links below! Alternatively, leave a review on iTunes and subscribe!