Digestive health is incredibly important, especially as discomfort or even pain caused by digestive issues can cause a decrease in productivity at work or in classes, as well as a decline in mood. Individuals with chronic digestive health issues often simply live their lives in acceptance of digestive pain, feeling unable to change or ease the digestive discomfort without having to turn to daily intake of medication.
There are, though, myriad easy, cost-efficient, healthy ways to ease digestion without the need for chemicals or surgeries or complicated health solutions. Natural methods to ease digestion can be achieved with actions as simple as a change of diet, an addition of probiotics and nutrients to the daily routine, and an effort to reduce daily stress.
Change your Diet
One of the easiest changes people can make in their day-to-day lives that will make great strides in easing digestion is a simple change of diet. A few changes to one meal each day, or even just the addition of a snack around lunch time can help the body process and digest food, making for a more pleasant and stress-free life.
As for what changes should be made, doctors and nutritionists differ slightly in their suggestions. This is due to the fact that every person is different, and every body functions differently. For some people, allergies and digestion issues can arise for foods meant to ease the process of digestion.
On the other hand, many experts recommend upping fiber intake among individuals experiencing difficulties with digestion. Fiber can be found in chia and flax, both of which appear in a number of easily consumable snack foods and cereals. However, some bodies have difficulty processing fiber, so while this is recommended, it is not the best solution for everyone.
Doctors also encourage eating lean meat and cutting down on fat intake to reduce digestion discomfort. Sodas and other sugary beverages can also make the digestion process more difficult or uncomfortable.
Although these are suggestions, they are not hard and fast rules that apply across the board. Improving digestive health is all about being in tune with your body and adjusting your diet accordingly.
Try Probiotics
Probiotics are essential, healthy bacteria similar to the bacteria already found in each person’s digestive tract. The consumption of probiotics simply increases the amounts of healthy bacteria that aid in the digestion process.
Probiotics serve a number of purposes and provide various functions within the body once consumed. Not only can a probiotic break down lactose, which can be damaging to the digestion process, it can also strengthen an individual’s immune system and even increase the absorption of nutrients.
Probiotics can be found in yogurt and other food products, or in the form of a daily vitamin or pill that can be taken. Probiotics for women’s digestive health are offered in great variety and are often recommended by medical professionals for individuals experiencing digestive distress or discomfort. To relieve the symptoms that come with digestive issues like irregularity, bloating, or gas, many doctors recommend making probiotics a regular part of one’s diet.
Manage Stress
A surprising factor in digestive health is the toll that stress and anxiety can have on the body and its various systems. It has been proven among doctors and experts in the field that anxiety and stress are expressed with physical symptoms in the body like sweating, increased or irregular heart rate, tensing of muscles, etc.
These physical symptoms can also affect an individual’s digestive health. Managing one’s personal stress can be achieved through a number of avenues. Finding a manageable work/life balance is one element of stress management that can enable individuals to lower their stress. This can be achieved through attending therapy or counseling, or simply taking a moment to devote time to friends and hobbies.
Thirty to sixty minutes a day of exercise is also proven to be a large stress reliever, as well as mindfulness techniques like journaling and deep breathing. Activities like yoga and swimming are also both great ways to relax and distress, as they involve physical exertion, but also focus the breath and let the mind wander without needing to focus on a complicated task.
