Boost digestion with these 5 breathing exercises
What's the story
Believe it or not, mindful breathing can do wonders for your digestion. Just by focusing on your breath, you can eliminate stress and induce relaxation- both of which are essential for proper digestion. This practice requires you to be aware of every breath and utilize it as a tool to relax the mind and body. Here are five ways mindful breathing can benefit your digestion.
Tip 1
Deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and digest. By taking slow and deep breaths through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, you can lower stress levels. This helps encourage better blood flow to digestive organs, aiding in proper absorption of the nutrients.
Tip 2
Belly breathing technique
Belly breathing is a technique that focuses on expanding the diaphragm rather than opt for shallow chest breaths. This technique greatly increases oxygen intake and stimulates digestive organs by lightly massaging them with every breath cycle. By spending a few minutes every day on belly breathing practice, one can greatly improve gut motility and effectively reduce the chances of bloating.
Tip 3
Alternate nostril breathing
Alternate nostril breathing is a technique that balances body's energy flow and calms the mind, both of which are essential for healthy digestion. By gently closing one nostril, inhaling through the other and then switching sides for exhalation, this practice promotes a state of relaxation. It effectively helps in regulating stress hormones that can disrupt digestive processes, making it a valuable tool for enhancing digestive health.
Tip 4
Mindful breath awareness
Mindful breath awareness is about paying careful attention to every inhale and exhale, without trying to alter it in the beginning. This method develops mindfulness by bringing the attention to what one can feel in the present moment, instead of getting distracted by what's happening outside or worrying about digestive issues. It promotes a calm state, which helps digestion, by training the mind to focus on breathing's simplicity.
Tip 5
Guided breathing sessions
Guided breathing sessions provide structured approaches led by instructors or audio recordings, specifically designed for relaxation. They're directly related to improving overall well-being, such as better digestive function over time with regular practice. Along with other healthy habits such as balanced diet choices, etcetera, they can do wonders for your health.