When I feel stressed my digestion is the first place that is affected. Our digestive system is a barometer for our health. And since December can be a stressful time of year, here are some simple go-tos that I use whenever I feel the affects of stress on my gut. 1. Hot water with 1/2 of a fresh squeezed lemon each morning. This boosts your immune system and helps with digestion. Before you eat anything, sip on hot or even warm lemon water. Lemon has antibacterial properties and is an easy way to aid digestion. 2. Castor oil hot packs each evening. Castor oil is an ancient remedy. When you rub the oil on your belly and apply a hot compress, it helps reduce inflammation and improve circulation in your gut. Plus its a very relaxing and soothing practice to transition into sleep. 3. Aloe vera juice. This juice is really amazing. Some of the benefits include reducing inflammation, aiding in digestion, relieving constipation, and detoxifying the body and colon. Just an ounce or two first thing in the AM and in the PM can help support your gut. 4. Greens, greens, greens!!! For me, adding greens in any form, whether its green juice, green smoothies or just raw salad greens helps my body feel energized. The added phytonutrients that greens provide help break down foods, and the antioxidants help with free radicals that are the by-product of stress. 5. Add a high quality probiotic to your diet. When you are under chronic states of stress, bacteria in the gut can get out of balance and there can be an overgrowth of bad gut flora. Healthy gut bacteria is vital for digestion and overall health. By adding a probiotic supplement, you can help re-balance this composition. 6. Slow down and breathe. The brain and your gut communicate with each other. When youre thinking stressful thoughts, your body is experiencing those thoughts as stress in the body. When you slow down and take deep, belly breaths, your brain sends the message to your body to relax. Often IBS (irritable bowl syndrome) can flare up due to stress alone. Harness the power of the mind body connection to move into a state of relaxation, which is optimal for digestion. Its always easier to trust your gut when it is healthy and happy! xo
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:45:00 +0000
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