Balancing your mind and gut: Exploring the influence of sleep and gut health on emotional well-being.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the mind, gut, and sleep is not static and requires proper harmony for optimal emotional health. Recent evidence suggests that gut health is a key player in regulating mental and physical health via bidirectional communication between the brain and gut.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional comparative study was undertaken on 200 participants aged 25-40 years old for two months at a tertiary care hospital. A community-based method was used to select the participants from in and around Pune. The survey was conducted online with the help of a self-designed well-structured detailed questionnaire that included a demographic profile, medical history, history of sleep pattern, gut health status, emotional well-being status about gut and sleep physiology, and lifestyle-related issues and problems was administered to all the study participants.

RESULTS

A statistically significant correlation was observed between the duration of sleep; and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including heartburn (=0.03) constipation (=0.03), bloating (=0.04), and indigestion (=0.051). Specific GI symptoms as mentioned above were found to affect the study participants' emotional well-being significantly. Regular physical exercise demonstrated a significant correlation with an increased duration of sleep (=0.003). Consumption of tobacco, alcohol; smoking, and consumption of stimulants like tea, coffee, and coke showed a significant effect on both the duration and quality of sleep (=0.004). Gut and sleep disturbances were more common in north Indian subjects as compared to south Indian subjects (=0.003). The upper socioeconomic population had more GI; sleep and emotional disturbances as compared to the lower socioeconomic study subjects (=0.002).

CONCLUSION

The relationship between sleep patterns, emotional well-being gut health is bidirectional. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene, managing stress through mindfulness or relaxation techniques, and maintaining a balanced diet that supports gut health are crucial steps in promoting overall well-being.