{"id":2855,"date":"2016-09-01T14:56:57","date_gmt":"2016-09-01T18:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyzesty.com\/?p=2855"},"modified":"2017-10-20T14:27:24","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T18:27:24","slug":"5-daily-practices-that-soothe-your-gut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyzesty.com\/5-daily-practices-that-soothe-your-gut\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Daily Practices That Soothe Your Gut"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are one of the 74%\u00a0of Americans suffering from digestive distress you know how uncomfortable that can become. Indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation,\u00a0nausea just to name a few, are the most common digestion related symptoms people complain about these days. <\/span><\/h4>\n
Whether your symptoms are due to eating a SAD diet (Standard American Diet), stress, insufficient digestive enzymes\u00a0or due to a more serious\u00a0gut\u00a0illness you can find some relief with these easy to implement –\u00a0holistic practices you can add into your daily routine without much effort.<\/h5>\n

1. Start out your day with a glass of warm water and lemon<\/span><\/h4>\n
This practice alone helps you start your day feeling invigorated. It flushes out toxins accumulated over night, alkalizes your body and stimulates digestive juices, which helps you better digest the meals to follow.<\/h5>\n
\u00a0Heat a glass of water to about 140\u25e6F and squeeze in the juice from about a\u00a0quarter of a lemon. Sip on it slowly first thing in the morning. Your gut will thank you!<\/h5>\n

2. Deep breathing exercise<\/span><\/h4>\n
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. \u201cPracticing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.\u201d<\/em><\/h5>\n
Dr. Weil recommends a few different breathing techniques, but my favorite is the 4-7-8 exercise. Ever since I learned this technique it has become my new daily habit. This is a simple practice you can do from wherever you are.<\/h5>\n
Place the tip of your tongue on the ridge of your upper teeth and inhale deeply while counting to 4; hold it for 7 counts and release it during 8 counts. Repeat this up to 4 times. You might have a lightheaded feeling at the end, especially in the beginning if you are not used to doing regular breathing exercises.<\/h5>\n
By doing this practice regularly not only will you calm down your digesting system, but you will feel an overall sense of peace and wellbeing.<\/h5>\n

3. The hot bottle routine<\/span><\/h4>\n
Fill up a plastic or glass bottle (ideally a flat one) with hot water and place it over your abdomen. The heat emitted soothes and relaxes your gut, calming any tummy discomfort (this is good for calming menstrual cramps as well). If you have consistent abdominal discomfort, try to do this routine every evening for long term benefits. This is also a great way of relaxing your entire body and easing your way into a good night sleep.<\/h5>\n

4. Ginger tea<\/span><\/h4>\n
Ginger is known for its great anti-inflammatory benefits. Therefore, among many other things, it is used for soothing the inflammation of the gut, calming nausea and stimulating digestion.<\/h5>\n
\u00a0Sip on a cup of ginger tea daily after meals, for easing the digestion of a heavier meal, or in between meals for stimulating the digestive juices prior to your next meal.<\/h5>\n

5. Yoga Pose to ease digestion<\/span><\/h4>\n
While yoga is rejuvenating for your mind, body and spirit, certain poses are really\u00a0beneficial for soothing your gut. If doing an entire yoga session is a bit too much to fit into your schedule, I strongly recommend\u00a0settling for doing at least these 2 yoga poses daily. It only takes a couple of minutes.<\/h5>\n