Can’t wait to speed up digestion? Then better slow down and relax.
Yeah we’ve all heard it before that stress is unhealthy…
But did you know that it slows down digestion and makes your body hang on to fat, particularly around your middle?
While long-term-stress hormone cortisol may well be your friend in times of famine, you better be chilled if you want to get your digestion going and have a flat tummy.
Stress relief such as yoga, going for a walk or having a massage are great. But really, if you’re in the middle of a busy day, can you really roll out your yoga mat, and go ‘Om’?
You can speed up digestion straightaway by using simple relaxation techniques.
Here are 5 science backed quick & easy stress busting methods that work.
- Have a good laugh. Research indicates that laughter and humor have health benefits (and no negative side effects unless you’re on the receiving end).(Strean WB Can Fam Physician. 2009 Oct; 55(10): 965–967.)
- Pet your cat or dog if you have one. This has been shown to have significant cardiovascular benefits. (Allen K et al.. Psychosom Med. 2002 Sep-Oct;64(5):727-39.)
- Breathe deeply. Controlled belly breathing reduced stress hormone levels by an “important effect size” according to one study. (Cea Ugarte JI et al. Rev Enferm. 2010 May;33(5):48-54.)
- Sniff a lemon. Recent Japanese research found a soothing effect from the fragrance of Japanese citrus fruit, but the humble lemon will do it, too, according to an earlier study. (Matsumoto T et al. J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Jun 1; 20(6): 500–506; Komiya M et al. Behav Brain Res. 2006 Sep 25;172(2):240-9. Epub 2006 Jun 15.)
- Take a power pose. While this requires a bit more than 10 seconds, it gives you an additional confidence boost as a bonus. Expansive relaxed poses have been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones and boost confidence. (Carney D et al. Psychol Sci. 2010 Oct;21(10):1363-8. doi: 0.1177/0956797610383437. Epub 2010 Sep 20.)
Deep diaphragmatic belly breathing is my overall favorite as I can do it anywhere anytime. One has to breathe to stay alive after all! Deep breathing also acts as a gentle internal tummy massage to stimulate digestion.
As a matter of fact, the key to relax and speed up digestion is for you to find a technique that works for YOU.
It could also pay to think outside the box as well. Who knows, mindful dish washing might rather be just the ticket for you. (Hanley AW et al. Mindfulness October 2015, Volume 6, Issue 5, pp 1095-1103)
P.S. Additionally to slowing digestion, stress is also acidifying on the body and depleting your body’s alkaline minerals. Just one bit of bad news a while ago gave me an acidic overload for days! So stay chilled – and always keep a lemon handy ☺