Mentalist, entertainer and subconscious mind specialist Keith Barry says the crucial link between the gut and the brain cannot be overlooked when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.

The Zenflore “How Stressed is Ireland?” Survey 2024 has revealed that two out of three people in Ireland feel stressed at least once a week with females and those under 35 the most affected.

Keith Barry says: “It’s been scientifically proven that our minds and bodies work in tandem when it comes to overall wellbeing. As someone who has spent decades exploring the workings of the brain, I’ve learned that in order to feel mentally well, it’s crucial to look after myself physically, and taking care of the gut microbiome plays a huge role in that. When we speak about mental health, we must bring the gut/brain link into the conversation, and ensure we are prioritising both.”

Keith’s top five tips five managing gut / brain health:

• Have those crucial conversations with friends and family if you’re feeling out of sorts and don’t be afraid to seek professional help.
• Find ways to de-stress whether that’s through a favourite hobby, starting something new, or by practicing mindfulness – personally I go fishing to keep my mind at peace – everyone has their own thing.
• Exercise as often as you can – it benefits the gut and brain in equal measure.
• Eat foods that are good for the gut; nutrition is of the utmost importance for mental and physical health.
• Consider a probiotic like Zenflore Calm to to complement a balanced diet and to help with mental wellbeing.

Keith Barry is leading the ‘Trust Your Gut Instinct’ campaign sponsored by Zenflore Calm. The campaign focuses on a holistic approach to mental and physical health, and looks at ways in which we can improve how we feel both physically and mentally during the winter months.

Dr Claire Watkins, Science and Technology Lead for Mental Health with Novonesis (home of Cork-based PrecisionBiotics and Zenflore Calm) says: “As a scientist who specialises in gut health, we’re discovering more and more the huge link between body and mind, and how one complements the other. Years of research have proven that good gut health is a major contributor to overall wellbeing and the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome cannot be overestimated.”