Back to Basics: Digestion

We can't really control digestion once the food leaves our mouths, which is why it's so important to set ourselves up for success by chewing our food appropriately. Not to worry, there are still things we can control that support healthy digestion even after we've chosen and swallowed the food.
 
Calm. The more calm and tranquil you can make your environment while you're eating and shortly thereafter, the more calm your body will become. When your body is in fight or flight mode, your digestion and underlying processes get put on the backburner to prioritize your immediate safety. But if you're calm and relaxed, research has shown that the bacteria in your gut is actually more effective and that the good bacteria are more active in populating your gut.
 
One thing you can do, when you sit down for a meal, is to simply clear off the table.  I like to think of the concept of "what's happening outside is a reflection of what's happening inside". Meaning that if your space is cluttered and in disarray, your mental space could be feeling that way too. Clearing your space not only clears your line of sight to focus more on your food but reducing clutter also has a feeling associated with it- calm. If you need to meditate or just take some deep breaths for 5 minutes, you can greatly impact the calmness you experience.
 
Smile. Your mental state has been shown to have a greater impact on your digestion than anything else. If you’re feeling highly emotional or experiencing negative emotions, your digestion can be halted. Turn off the news. Don’t check social media. Instead, try setting a timer for 2 minutes to close your eyes and take a mental vacation to a time you felt really happy. Smile outwardly and focus on letting that feeling of smiling sink in.
 
Hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Your body loses a lot of fluid throughout the day through your skin, breathing, urination and evacuation. According to the Institutes of Medicine, women need at least 9 cups per day of fluids to keep our skin healthy and bright, and help our bodies run more effectively. Nearly 2/3rds of the population are chronically dehydrated which means out digestion is not what it could be and therefore, our metabolism is slower than it could be. Sip on warm liquids like hot tea or lemon or ginger water throughout the day which has a cleansing effect on your lymphatic system (the clean-up system in your body).
 
Move. Your body needs to move. The new research is linking sedentary lifestyle to being as harmful as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Take a walk or do some stretches, this will not only reduce stress even further, but also can help with managing blood sugar (energy level) throughout the day as well. Youtube a chair yoga if you’re in your cubicle or maybe go with a walk around the block with a friend.