Do you suffer from digestive issues? Do you feel like you have "tried everything" to help ease your discomfort and pain?
If the answer is yes to those questions, look no further. Ayurveda practices can help strengthen your digestion and improve your overall gut health. I know because I have experienced digestive discomfort, and by using Ayurvedic tools and practices, I have been able to feel well on a daily basis. These practices are over 5, 000 years old and have helped many people find their optimal health. You may feel that your digestive issues are "normal" because they have been a part of your life for a while. However, just because something feels normal to you, does not mean it is natural for your body. No one, including you, deserves to feel discomfort in their body.
Optimal digestion isn't just about how you digest food, but also about how you are digesting or "taking in" your everyday life.
According to Ayurveda, one aspect of having strong digestion means you are able to properly assimilate and digest nutritious food without symptoms after eating. Another important aspect we look at is how you are able to digest, or "take in", what comes at you on a daily basis; specifically your emotions. How are you "digesting" your life? Because Ayurveda is a holistic science, we look at the bigger picture of your whole self, which includes your mind. You can be the healthiest eater on the planet, but if you are not happy or content with your life, that can weaken your digestion or "agni" your digestive fire. In order for you to have strong agni, you need to be able to process food and your emotions in a healthy way. If you are sitting in a lower vibration or lower emotions, chances are you may have weak agni. That can lead you down a path of dis-ease and discomfort in your body and mind. If you are having physical symptoms related to weak digestion, such as bloating, constipation or stomach cramping, just know that you can feel better. By making some small changes with your nutrition and in your lifestyle, your body and mind can adjust and overtime you can feel well both physically and mentally.
Here are some tips and tools rooted in Ayurveda to help you find a path to better digestion in your body and mind:
Eat only the amount of food that fits into the palm of your hand. Overeating will weaken your digestion.
Eat slowly until you feel your first burp. That is your body signaling you to stop eating.
Chew your food until it is mush. For most, that is about 15-20 chews per bite. This helps your body digest the food easier as it is liquified.
Have a ginger appetizer 20 minutes before you eat. Slice a few small pieces of ginger, add a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of Himalayan salt. This will help stoke your agni and help you better digest the meal that is to come.
Avoid raw, cold food and drinks as they are hard for most people to digest and they "put out" your digestive fire. Eat warm, cooked foods and room temperature beverages.
Take a post-digestive walk. 100 steps are great. Nothing vigorous.
Sit down in a quiet environment while you eat. If you are eating in the car, at your desk or in a loud space, that will negatively impact how you digest your food as the tendency will be to eat too fast because you are not focused on your meal.
Eat slowly. Enjoy your meal. Whatever you are choosing to eat, savor it and have gratitude for your food.
Use spices in your cooking. Spicing food allows it to be better digested. Using ginger and warming spices such as cardamom, turmeric, clove, cinnamon and black pepper can stoke your digestive fire. Use these in small amounts, as over-spicing will dry out your body further.
Have a warm glass of water first thing in the morning. Also, drinking ginger tea in moderation will help aid in better digestion.
Eat food that is filled with prana, or life force energy. Fresh, organic food will be better digested than something processed. If you can cook it yourself, that is even better!!
Avoid eating while you are experiencing lower emotions. If you are feeling angry, depressed, anxious, sad or fearful, work to clear those emotions before you eat. You can use a simple breathing exercise, such as inhaling and exhaling slowly to let go of negative feelings. This will help your food be better digested.
Journal, meditate and seek outside help if you are feeling lack or unhappiness around your life. You deserve to feel well in your body and mind and live your life to the fullest!
These are just a few practices and tools that can help you strengthen your digestion. If you are struggling, please reach out to me. I can support you in finding healthier ways to better "digest" your life. The light in me honors the light in you, wherever you are at in your journey to heal from the inside out. Namaste,
Stefanie Yeager, Owner, Brilliant Life Yoga and Wellness
shine@brilliantlifemn.com
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