A Few Tips for Easier Digestion

Have you been regularly struggling with heartburn, gas, bloating, or other digestive discomforts? There are many factors that may be contributing to your difficulties, and these can be explored fully at the Harmony Health Centre. Regardless of the cause however, here are some basic but powerful tips to encourage easier digestion. Even if you are not in any digestive distress, these are great dietary habits we should all adopt.

Tip #1 Meal time is relaxation time

The nervous system that governs digestion is the same one that allows us to relax and be at ease. When we are in a state of tension and stress, the digestive system does not take priority; it will not be receiving the ideal signals and blood supply to allow an easy digestion.

Close that computer, walk away from the desk, sit down and let go.

You may like to pause a moment before you begin to eat, take a few deep breaths, help yourself ease into a calmer state of mind. See if you can be fully conscious of your eating experience.

Tip #2 Chew, chew and chew your food!

Let your jaw do most of the work! It will be a lot easier on your stomach and intestinal system if your food has already been broken down.

It is recommended that we chew as much as 90 times a mouthful in cases of any digestive discomfort! You are ideally swallowing liquid. For those who are well, 30 chews a mouthful is the recommended amount.

We recognize how challenging it can be to attain these numbers but at least keep them in mind at meal times and see if you can increase how much you chew on a regular basis.

Tip #3 Avoid liquids with your meals

Drinking liquids during a meal dilutes your digestive acids and enzymes, thus reducing your ability to digest your food properly. This can contribute to symptoms of indigestion.

If you find this challenging, then have a few sips with you meal but avoid large quantities of liquids at this time. It is best to drink your fluids between meals.