There was a time when we thought of our body and our mind as two separate systems. We exercised to improve our physical health and we looked after our mental wellbeing separately. What we are beginning to discover, however, is that these systems have been working together all along.

One of the most fascinating examples of this is something called the gut brain axis. While the name sounds complicated, the idea itself is beautifully simple. Your gut and your brain are in constant communication with one another, sending messages backwards and forwards throughout every moment of every day.

Take a moment to think about periods of stress in your own life. There is every chance that your digestion changed, your appetite shifted or your energy became harder to access. Your body was responding long before you consciously recognised what was happening.

What you may begin to notice is that food has a much bigger role to play in your life than simply providing fuel. The environment inside your gut influences many aspects of your day to day experience, including your mood, concentration, energy and overall sense of wellbeing.

Scientists are also discovering that the trillions of bacteria living inside our digestive system play a much bigger role than we once thought. These tiny organisms help influence inflammation throughout the body and contribute to the messages being sent between the gut and the brain.

Perhaps this is where our perspective begins to shift. Instead of asking, "What do I feel like eating today?", we might begin asking, "What kind of environment am I creating inside my body today?"

At M6, we believe this is an empowering way to think about health because it reminds us that small choices matter. Every meal, every snack and every daily habit is helping shape the future version of ourselves.

In Part 2, we'll explore some of the simple habits that can help strengthen this relationship between your body and your brain, because healthier living is often much simpler than we make it.

To find out more about the M6 30 in 30 nutrition program click here.