How Lifestyle Changes Restored My Gut Health

How I Finally Started to ‘Heal’ My Gut — sharing my journey to better gut health and practical tips for improving digestion through diet, movement, and daily habits.

This post was created in partnership with Great Lakes Gelatin and reflects my personal experience and opinions.

Hello everyone!

Today I’m sharing something a little different: my experience improving gut health and the daily practices that helped me feel better. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I struggled for a long time with chronic bloating and stomach discomfort. After years of testing and experimenting, I finally found an approach that keeps me mostly symptom-free. Below are the practical steps I took to naturally support my gut.

I manage stress

Stress was, without a doubt, a major driver of my symptoms. When my stomach flared up, I was also navigating a long-distance relationship, being far from family, and dealing with uncertainty. The more I focused on my discomfort, the worse it felt.

Recognizing the connection between stress and my gut was a turning point. To reduce stress I introduced a simple meditation habit: 10 minutes most days using a guided meditation app. Even brief daily sessions helped calm my nervous system and reduced nighttime stomach flare-ups. Managing stress intentionally made a big difference.

I identified trigger foods

Instead of following restrictive diets indefinitely, I paid attention to how specific foods affected me. Keeping notes helped me spot patterns without cutting out entire food groups. My personal trigger list includes:

• Sweet potato skins
• Raw carrots
• Eggs (when eaten several days in a row)
• Beans
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale)

Some of these foods can cause gas for many people, so moderation is key. I don’t eliminate them completely; I simply manage portions and frequency so I can enjoy a variety of foods without routine discomfort.

I added healing movement

Gentle, consistent movement helped both my body and my mind. Yoga became a cornerstone — I practice 2–4 times a week and treat it as “moving meditation.” It helps me focus on breath and body alignment while relieving tension. Daily walks outside also support digestion and balance. For home practice I used online yoga videos most of the time and occasionally attended studio classes.

I stopped over-focusing on my gut

One of the most powerful changes was simply shifting my attention away from constant monitoring and worry. I stopped endlessly googling symptoms and self-diagnosing. Instead I focused on living, enjoying meals, and doing things I love. When symptoms appeared, I noted them and adjusted, but I stopped letting my gut dominate my life. This mindset shift reduced anxiety and, in turn, helped my digestion.

I added gut-supportive foods and supplements

Once stress and lifestyle were under better control, I incorporated foods and supplements that support gut health. There’s no single cure-all, but these additions complement the habits above:

• Probiotics: I take a daily probiotic and include fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha.
• Anti-inflammatory spices: Turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon are easy to add to breakfasts, smoothies, or warm beverages and provide gentle digestive support.
• Collagen: I use Great Lakes collagen in my morning drinks and recipes. While collagen isn’t a guaranteed fix for gut issues, I’ve noticed benefits like stronger nails and feel it pairs well with other gut-supportive habits.

I enjoy a simple warming beverage inspired by golden milk: a latte-style drink made with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and a scoop of collagen. It’s soothing, easy to prepare, and fits nicely into my morning routine.

Collagen Golden Milk

A warming, spiced beverage with collagen.

Make it a great day!

Have you ever experienced gut issues? Do you use collagen? What’s your favorite way to enjoy it?