What Can You Do to Maintain a Healthy Gut and Stop Feeling Tired?
Having healthy digestion requires commitment and lifestyle changes. Although, there are some things you can start doing now to get you on the right track. The tips below are just to help alleviate you from feeling tired. After you start to get your energy back, you’ll be motivated to take on bigger health changes.
1. Stop Snacking! Eat an Apple Instead!
Source Apples are full of pectin, which has both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber absorbs water, making you feel full for longer. Insoluble fiber helps smooth the stool in your intestines. This gets your digestive system moving which helps prevent constipation. So, next time you want a bag of chips, grab an apple instead. Just make sure to increase your water intake as you consume more fiber to prevent digestive problems. You should stop feeling tired once your digestion improves. [2]
2. Drink More Coffee, Tea, or Milk
Source If you love coffee, this should be an easy fix. Not only will the caffeine help with feeling tired, but it also promotes movement in your colon muscles which gets your entire digestive system moving. This can help eliminate constipation and expel the buildup of toxins in your body. The caffeine in tea has the same effect. [3] Drinking fat-free milk helps your body increase the production of two peptide hormones. These hormones are beneficial in stimulating the digestive tract to help you get rid of built up toxins and waste. If you’re lactose intolerant, however, avoid this tip. [4]
3. Don’t Drink Cold Beverages!
Source Surprised? According to traditional Chinese medicine, everything we put into our bodies should be close to its temperature. This is because you have enzymes in your stomach that can only survive at body temperature. When you down an ice cold refreshment, it lowers your internal temperature and slows down digestion. This means your waste is not expelled and provides the perfect environment for increased bacterial production. What can you do instead? Drink warm or room temperature water, particularly in the morning and on an empty stomach to stop feeling tired and avoid constipation. [5]
4. Start Stretching
Source Stretching your body or doing yoga poses can also help relieve constipation. According to Dr. Rebekah Gross, a gastroenterologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, stretching helps move food, gas, and waste through your digestive system. [6] One excellent stretch to stimulate digestive function is:
- Lay down on the floor.
- Stretch legs and raise arms above your head, flat on the floor.
- Raise your left knee and hug it to your chest with both hands.
- Hold it for 10 seconds.
- Then, lift your leg at a 90° angle to the floor.
- Hold onto your leg with both hands, just below your ankle.
- Maintain this position for 10 seconds.
- Then, cross your left leg over your right knee.
- Grab your right knee with both hands and stretch it toward your chest.
- Switch sides and repeat. Watch this video to see it done.
