In today’s video, I’m sharing my favorite digestion tips to make sure you feel good (especially after a meal), feel less bloated or sluggish, and get the most out of your digestion. You’ll also discover how your daily habits may be compromising your nutrition intake.
Like all aspects of your body, improving your digestive health requires focusing on more than just your diet. By focusing on the Four Cornerstones of True Beauty: Body, Food, Emotional Well-Being, and Spiritual Growth, we can take steps to improve both your digestive process and overall health!
We all know our digestive system’s role in absorbing nutrients and the importance of a well-rounded diet. But today, I want to talk about how your personal choices can affect your digestion and what you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your nutrients so you can feel lively and vibrant every day!
People always say, “you are what you eat,” but as we know, that’s not true! You are what you digest. If you can’t digest properly, you aren’t absorbing the vital nutrients your body needs to keep you healthy and happy.
If you want your nutrition to shape your life goals, you need to make sure you are getting everything you can out of it!
Factors That Affect Digestion and Easy Digestion Tips to Follow
When your digestion isn’t up to speed, you can feel it. You might feel anxious, sluggish, and even grumpy.
When digestion is stagnant, your body starts to accumulate toxins as it fails to properly break down the foods you eat. There can actually be a few reasons for this you may not expect.
Digestion Tip #1: Keep it Simple and Adopt a Plant-Forward Diet
Obviously, diet is a major factor in your overall health, but a prolonged diet of heavy foods will weaken digestion over time.
A lifetime of fried foods and artificial sugar can leave you with bloating, diarrhea, and long-term digestive issues.
The nutrients you put into your body aren’t just important for fuel but to help facilitate the process as a whole. Eating a diverse plant-forward diet helps you get the nutrients your body needs, and keeps things moving along nicely.
Eating simpler, fresh meals helps you digest and keep your body active! A diet high in fruit, grain, and vegetables can do wonders.
Digestion Tip #2: Stress Less
I know it sounds strange to think your mental state can have such an impact on your digestive health, but stress can wreak havoc on your digestion.
The feeling of stress gives off a signal for your body to take action. This tension signals your sympathetic nervous system and limits the circulation through your GI tract as your body goes into “flight or flight” mode.
Your body simply prioritizes other functions as a reaction to stress.
To work on this, mindful eating can be crucial!
If you slow down a little bit and give yourself time to relax, your digestive system will thank you!
I recommend meditating every morning as a way to ground yourself and relax your body at the beginning of each day.
Mediation will leave you feeling calmer and less reactive, helping your digestive process along the way.
Digestion Tip #3: Eat More Fiber
Fiber is a phenomenal tool for your body’s digestive system, but 95% of Americans aren’t getting enough fiber in their diet. Because fiber is found exclusively in plants, make sure you are getting enough fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your diet.
Your body uses fiber to speed up your digestive system and absorb excess water, assisting you in getting the nutrients you need.
When your body is able to absorb more nutrients, you’ll feel fuller for longer. So not only does a high-fiber diet prevent constipation and bloating by keeping your colon clean, it also works to prevent overeating and hunger in-between meals!
Be sure to check out my interview with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz on boosting your gut health and the importance of fiber as well!
Digestion Tip #4: Move Your Body & Hydrate
Whether it’s morning yoga or an evening jog, exercising increases blood flow to the muscles in your digestive system. Movement increases blood flow, which makes your digestion more efficient and faster. An easy digestion tip to follow after eating a meal is to take a brisk 5-minute walk. Studies show it helps significantly reduce blood sugar levels and enhances digestion.
Water helps foods break down and dissolves nutrients so your body can absorb them more effectively. A glass of water and a brief walk after you eat will help your digestion get a headstart!
Digestion Tip #5: Take The Best Digestion Supplements
I take digestive enzyme supplements before lunch and dinner every day to improve my nutrient intake. Important digestion tip when taking enzymes: be sure to take your supplements 10 to 20 minutes before eating so they’re able to do their job as effectively as possible.
Probiotics can also be a lifesaver for your digestive system.
Probiotics don’t just fight off harmful bacteria in your gut but promote better absorption of vital nutrients.
Probiotics are live bacteria, so it’s important to stick to soil-based probiotics that can survive the journey to your gut. Soil-based probiotics are heartier than traditional probiotics and have a tougher outer shell that helps them survive in your intestinal tract.
A Final Word
Remember, digestive health goes beyond the gut and can have an impact on your overall well-being!
Your digestive system includes vital organs and trillions of microorganisms that require the same care and attention that you give the rest of your body. Follow my easy-to-follow digestion tips and with the right soil-based supplements, exercise, and a healthy diet, you can keep your digestion moving along and feel beautiful from the inside out!
In love and health,
I had a problem with my digestion before because of unhealthy eating, but when I started eating probiotic foods and supplements, my problem with my digestion started to vanish. Thanks for posting content that helps us to have a healthy lifestyle. Great post!
Thank you so much love, and happy to hear your digestion is improving. Keep up the great work with your healthy lifestyle! Xo
You are welcome! Informative articles like this are a great help to us!
I know probiotics are good for your health, but I’m afraid to take them because I once took some probiotic pills and had a bad reaction. i.e. — I got constipated as heck !
I googled my symptoms and found out that, once in a while, if too much probiotic is released too quickly, a person can end up constipated ! I’d really like to improve my Gut Health, but I’m “afraid” to take probiotics again.
Hi Vicki, thanks for your question. Due to our bodies being so different, it would be good if you check with your healthcare practitioner so they can make sure you’re taking what your body needs and can handle. Feel free to share the Solluna products with them as well. Better to be safe than to guess and not feel well. Let us know how you do and sending you so much love and support! Xo
I’ve been taking your probiotics for years and I love them! I also take detoxy a few times a week and the combo keeps my gut health in excellent shape. No bloating, and my stomach is always flat, even during my time of the month. I also noticed an improving my skin after starting the probiotics:) It has been fantastic, especially when traveling for work, since there isn’t always access to the healthiest food options.
Hi love – so happy to hear how well your digestion is doing, there’s no bloating, and your traveling with the probiotics! Keep up the great work Michelle and thanks so much for sharing with us here in the community! Xo
Loved your video 💞.
Thank you for sharing those wonderful tips. I struggle with stress eating. I am good about walking, but need to incorporate more meditation, but it is hard to find a peaceful time/place. Any suggestions?
Thank you again for sharing and encouraging so many people!
Hi love – I can understand the struggle. With my boys it can be a challenge even for me! What I’ve found is that I let the family know I need my meditation and quiet time. Over time they will see you are being consistent (even if at first you’re unable to concentrate) and will honor this practice. You can even invite them to join you and if they say no, then ask them to allow you the space and time to. Another huge part of it is to create a space in your home where you have your yoga pillow, maybe a candle and your journal so that it’s a sacred place you look forward to going to. And start small. Do the practice for 3 minutes, then 5, and so on. Start with these suggestions, if you haven’t already, and be sure to let us all know how you do. Sending you so much love and support Linda! Xo