30 Seconds to Improve Digestion

As your inbox fills up with coupon codes and lightning deals aplenty this week, my plan is to share something different: tips for how to support your health while you enjoy this delicious holiday. I want you to eat (and drink, if that's your jam) your little heart out. That's right! I would never tell someone to avoid the dessert table (here's what I make every year) or skip the rolls because they're devoid of nutrients. No sir, no ma'am. This holiday comes once a year, and unless you have dietary restrictions, there is no reason not to take part in all of your favorite dishes. You don’t eat like this 365 days a year, because it’s not always Thanksgiving. And you’re smarter than that.

Yes, there are healthier swaps available for all of us, but I don’t subscribe to over-healthifying Thanksgiving. After all, Thanksgiving tables are normally filled with lots of whole foods. So we’re not going to be learning how to make Grandma’s sweet potatoes without the marshmallows. But, what I will encourage you to do is choose your health when you can this week. Later nights, more refined sugar and alcohol, and (sometimes) the stress of get togethers can all impact your body. That’s why I’ve put together four stupid-easy hacks that anyone can implement to improve digestion, regulate blood sugar, and even help you sleep. (The tryptophan won't hurt either.)

Ready for the first tip? 

Pause and express gratitude before eating your first bite. Don't roll your eyes. I know we all dread this moment at the table when we're forced to publicly proclaim what we're grateful for. Someone else always takes the good answer. 

But this goes deeper than impressing your in-laws. Like, cellular-level deep. Did you know that digestion actually begins in your brain, not in your mouth? Picture this scene: you walk to your fridge, grab a cold lemon, get out a cutting board and knife, and slice the lemon in half. Next, you take big ‘ole bite out of the lemon. Did you feel your mouth start to tingle and salivate? Me too! That's your brain at work. 

Ok, great, the brain is amazing, but what does that have to do with gratitude? Well, while our brains can get our saliva going, we can help things along by getting into the right state of mind. Or, state of nervous system, rather. When we digest food, we want to be in a relaxed state – also called the parasympathetic state of our nervous system. This tells our body we are safe, and that it's ok to direct precious energy to the digestive system. When we’re stressed, not present, and thinking about the pile of pots and pans waiting in the sink, our bodies may interpret these feelings as signs of a threat.

And wow, we are evolved in the most incredible way to deal with a threat.

A cascade of stress hormones tells your body to shut down all non-essential processes (think digestion, reproduction, and growth). Instead, energy will be directed where you need it most — large muscle groups, decision making centers of the brain, and increasing blood flow throughout the body. This stress response is such a gift when you’re in real trouble! But, it does you no favors at the dinner table. So now you’ve got a double whammy - stressed out during dinner and stomache ache afterwards, because your brain didn’t get the message that it was safe to rest and digest.

We can fix that with a brief pause for gratitude. This does not have to be out loud – actually, it's more beneficial to give your thanks silently. Look at your plate; think about all the hard work it took to get the food there – from the farmer to the grocer to the nice guy who puts my pick-up order in the trunk. Look at all the colors. Be aware of your food. As cliche as it is, be present, and give thanks. This will signal your brain to tell the body “all good here”, and in turn, your digestion will begin its ~36 hour process on the right foot. This 30 seconds of a mindset shift could make such a huge difference in how your body receives the nutrients you're about to eat. 

xoxo

Brianna

P.S. Sometimes the right state of mind won’t be enough! If you’re suffering from chronic digestive issues, I have been there and truly empathize. In the next section of my course, I’m going to need practice clients, so reach out if you’re interested in working with me and let’s see if we can get to the bottom of it together.