“Ugh, I’m so bloated today…”, “My digestion is a mess…” ” Yeah, I’ve always had tummy problems…”
Sound familiar? You may hear these statements often, from friends, family, clients, and those around you… so know you’re not alone on this one. And you’re like many, you’ve experienced “stomach issues” at some point in your life.
According to Ayurveda, the build-up of Ama — digestive toxins resulting from improper digestion — is the root cause of most health disorders. And modern science has now confirmed that as well. Gas, bloating, constipation, etc are signs that something is amiss and shouldn’t be overlooked!
It’s not just WHAT you eat, but what you DIGEST, that is the biggest determinant to body-mind health. Healthy digestion is critical for our overall health, mood, and prevention of disease. It literally affects every system in the body, including our thoughts and emotions.
So how can you control these symptoms and improve our overall health? There are many simple, natural, ancient, and proven ways to achieve relief from these common symptoms. Here are seven small, simple changes that could hugely make a difference on how you feel!
HERE ARE 7 WAYS TO START
1) BEGIN your day with warm LEMON water…then sip on WARM water throughout the day
Cold water moves blood AWAY from the stomach and intestines. Instead, you want that blood flow around those organs to soak up the nutrients and keep the enzymes where they need to be!
2) DON’T drink much water WITH your meals
Stay hydrated throughout the day, but too much water when you eat will drown out the enzymes needed for the most beneficial food-breakdown.
3) COOK your veggies, SOAK your beans, COMBINE foods wisely
Cooked foods are easier to digest and are more bioavailable to the body. Eat fruits between meals.
4) Eat your BIGGEST meal between 10am-2pm… and a LIGHT dinner at least 3 hours before bed.
Our digestive fire is strongest mid-day. This timeline supports optimal digestion, decreases discomfort, and increases overall nutrient absorption.
5) Eat SPICES that improve digestion.
Fennel, coriander, ginger, cumin, and turmeric are all great!
6) TONGUE SCRAPE and OIL PULL daily
First thing when you wake up in the morning, begin this routine! Once you experience this, your life may never be the same. Your food will taste better and the toxins and build-up will be cleared.
7) Use ESSENTIAL OILS
Oils offer more than just a pleasant scent. They harness power to bring you relief! A blend of Dill Seed, Fennel, Ginger, Lemon, and Clove, such as in YouVeda’s My Essential Oils: Digestion, works in synergy to assist the body to support a healthy digestion.
You can start by adding one tip at a time to your daily routine! By following these guidelines you will be maximizing the moments to keep your body feeling amazing, grateful, and happy.
Your energy and mood will improve and you’ll be ready to take on the world!
Author: Carolyn Crews (YouVeda Wellness Contributor)
