Be honest, do you wear stretchy pants ALL the time? Are you wearing them right now?
Ok, let's be REALLY honest.
Do you wear stretchy pants because you can't deal with "popping-the-top-button" in public?
If so, I totally get you.
In fact, I should tell you, the bloating I used to feel after meals was torturing (and not to mention, mortifying!)
Thankfully, with the right support, I've had a complete turn around when it comes to my digestion.
Stretchy pants are still my first choice, but I gotta say, I love that I can feel great in my jeans too.
If you've been struggling with digestive issues, this post is for you lady.
You've probably heard over and over that healthy digestion is the foundation to vibrant living. So then why do so many us continue to accept bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements, and abdominal discomfort as normal, when in all truth, it's so far from normal.
The stark reality is that when we experience any of these, our digestion is off balance.
An imbalanced gut IS what's keeping us from feeling great.
People with a healthy gut have fewer cravings, they're less moody, they sleep better, they handle stress more effectively AND they have less PMS.
Today, I want to share with you 3 morning rituals that will help you optimize your digestion and set you on the right track to feeling great in your jeans again.
First thoughts, best thoughts.
What is the first thing you do when you open your eyes? Do you scroll through social media, check emails, and get stressed about your day? Do you hit the snooze button until you have to rush out the door in a panic?
Our first thoughts of the day set the tone of our nervous system.
Did you know that our nervous system is a major part of our gut?
The nerve cells in the gut and the microbes release neurotransmitters that speak to the brain in their own language. The brain also communicates right back down to the gut.
Before getting out of bed in the morning, try sitting upright, deepen your breath, and focus on what's most important to you at this time in your life. What are you trying to create?
Energize your digestive system with 10 deep belly breaths to help encourage blood flow to the digestive organs. This will set the tone of your nervous system and your gut!
Sip your herbals
For my caffeine drinkers, I know it's a little ambitious of me to say, "NO MORE CAFFEINE".
So how about this, can you start your day with a hot cup of herbal tea first, and then have your caffeine an hour later?
Coffee (and any caffeine) first thing in the morning sends your cortisol into overdrive and will affect your blood sugar for the rest of the day. It also dehydrates your body and will leave you craving more caffeine and carbs all day long.
Herbal tea helps flush the digestive system and rehydrates the body.
Grab yourself a herbal tea for your morning routine.
If you're not sure what kind, I've got a herbal blend ready for you! >> LADYFLOW Detox Tea
Squat Challenge
Yes, this is the part where we talk about your digestive flow (aka poop flow).
Having regular bowel movements (and especially in the morning) is one of the best indicators of our digestive health.
Do you have a bowel movement every morning? What about within the first 20min of waking?
Women so often feel awkward talking about poop because it's not "lady like".
Let me tell you, holding tension (and poop) in our gut is NOT lady like.
So ditch the poop anxiety!
Don’t rush out of the house in the morning without a bowel movement. Get your digestive flow moving by listening to nature’s call. And if it's not flowing naturally, it's time for a lil' squat challenge.
Squatting (or crouching) requires standing with your knees & hips sharply bent and your sitting bones close to the ground. Hold this position for a few minutes until you feel some movement happening in your digestive system.
Squatting helps tonify the colon and pushes contents along your digestive tract.
A good bowel movement in the morning is a routine that your body needs to be accustomed to. As you get into this habit, you'll notice it becomes such an important start to your day.
You deserve to feel good, lady. And it all starts with your digestion!
Much love and lady flow care,
P.S. Are you ready for a fresh start this spring?
My latest workshop Detox Immersion is coming up!
In this workshop you'll learn surprising signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance, the myths and best practices to cleansing your body, and how it all relates to your menstrual cycle. Grab your spot here today!
Elaine Clark, nutritionist, trauma informed educator, women's health pioneer, and founder of LADYFLOW. Elaine works with health conscious women to feel at home in their body and awaken to their creative potential. She offers a variety of tools to support women with her classes, trainings, retreats, and wellness products.
