You’ve tried cutting dairy, skipping gluten, and even drinking that trendy green powder every morning. But if your digestion still feels off, bloating comes and goes without warning, or your energy levels crash mid-afternoon – you might be sabotaging your gut health without even realizing it.
Emerging research and gut health experts agree: everyday habits – not just what’s on your plate – play a huge role in how your digestive system functions. The best part? Once you spot the sneaky culprits, you can begin to shift them. We cover all the how-to’s in our expert-led course, Gut Glow, but for now, start by becoming aware of these 5 common habits:
We’ve all done it – eating lunch while checking emails, grabbing a bite between errands, or finishing dinner while standing at the kitchen counter. But when you eat in a rush, your body doesn’t have time to prepare for digestion. That means your stomach produces less acid, your enzymes aren’t fully activated, and your food isn’t properly broken down. Over time, this can lead to bloating, gas, and even nutrient deficiencies.
→ Want to support digestion? Start by slowing down. Even pausing to take a few deep breaths before you eat can trigger your body’s “rest and digest” response. (In Gut Glow, we go deeper into how to build a gut-friendly mealtime routine that actually fits into your real life.)
Between work deadlines, family logistics, and endless to-do lists, many women operate in a near-constant state of low-grade stress. What we often don’t realize is how that stress communicates directly with our gut. Chronic stress increases cortisol, a hormone that can weaken the gut lining, promote inflammation, and disrupt the balance of your microbiome. This “gut-stress” feedback loop is especially powerful in women, who often feel stress in their digestion before anywhere else.
→ You don’t need to eliminate all stress (who can?), but learning to regulate your nervous system is key to gut repair. (In our Gut Health courses series, we teach simple yet effective strategies to support your gut-brain connection.)
Modern life has made us germ-conscious – and while hygiene is important, an overuse of antibacterial soaps, sanitizers, and cleaning products can be harmful to the beneficial bacteria that help protect and regulate our microbiome. Your skin, mouth, and hands all play a role in maintaining a healthy gut ecosystem. Stripping them of good bacteria repeatedly can disrupt that delicate balance.
→ Consider switching to gentler more natural alternatives when possible.
Gut health isn’t just about what you eat – it’s also about how well you sleep. Poor or inconsistent sleep can throw off the rhythm of your gut bacteria, impact digestion, trigger sugar cravings, and even mess with your mood and immunity. Women in particular are more likely to experience sleep disruptions due to hormones, caregiving, and mental load – all of which can create a ripple effect in the gut.
→ Improving your sleep hygiene can be a game changer for your gut.
That handful of crackers between calls or the mid-afternoon almond butter spoon might seem harmless – but when your digestive system is constantly working, it doesn’t have time to clean up properly. Your gut’s natural “sweep system” – only activates during fasting periods. Without breaks between meals, leftover food particles and bacteria can accumulate, contributing to bloating, indigestion, and imbalances.
→ Instead of constant snacking, try to create intentional space between meals.
Taking care of your gut isn’t about cutting everything out or following another restrictive trend. It’s about understanding the small, daily choices that either support or sabotage your digestive health – and knowing how to shift them in a sustainable way.
That’s exactly why we created Gut Glow – an expert-led, science-backed course built for women who are ready to feel better, inside and out. Whether you’re struggling with your gut, battling bloat or low energy,With our courses you’ll finally understand what your gut needs and how to support it with practical, proven strategies – no fads, no fluff.
✨ Explore the course now at AskHer.com and take your gut (and your glow) to the next level.
The AskHer Team
Life is too short to play small.