Digestion Problems - How Can Ayurveda Help?

The tradition of Ayurveda teaches us that our overall health depends on how well we digest everything we take in from the environment. This includes the food and drinks that we consume physically and also the experiences or emotions that we take in through our sensory organs. Agni refers to the Ayurvedic term of digestive fire that breaks down our food and other things. A weakened Agni leads to digestive problems of acidity, gas and other issues. So, let us focus on how to strengthen our Agni.

Here are few practical Ayurvedic resolutions for digestion problems:

1. Eat only when you are hungry
The mindfulness of eating is more important than what we eat, according to Ayurveda. Eat out of necessity rather than eating out of habit. Take around 3 to 4 hours between meals so that your body takes its time to absorb and digest the food.

2. Add ginger in your diet
Ginger is a well-known natural herb that resolves digestive problems. After a hearty or heavier meal, try to drink ginger tea to banish any digestion problems. Also, sipping warm water through the day is very beneficial. Stay away from cold water, as the body takes a long time to digest it.

3. Sit and eat
Many of us tend to eat breakfast on the move. However, taking a few minutes to sit and eat offers more digestive benefits to your body. This way, we can focus on the amount of food we are eating and properly chew the food as well. Also, we tend to become aware of the taste, texture, and smell of the food. This will greatly enhance digestion.

4. Eat freshly cooked meals
If the food is not fresh, it loses the prana or the essence of lifepresent in it. It can make you feel tired and lazy. So, skip the heat and serve food or frozen food. Eat freshly prepared meals with fresh ingredients and stay healthy with a lot of energy to get you through the day.

5. Make lunch the heaviest meal of the day
When the sun is high, your Agni or digestive fire is also strong, so eat more during lunch. The body will have plenty of time to digest it before your system shuts down at the night. If you eat more during dinner, your digestive fire is weaker and as a result, you will feel bloated or heavy.

6. Reduce screen time when you eat
Switch off the television and gadgets during mealtimes. Screen time reduces our attention to what we eat and also causes the digestive system to disengage. So, always, be mindful and unplug while you eat peacefully.

7. Try to release stress
You may get digestion problems when you are under too much stress. So, try breathing exercises and other techniques to reduce stress and nurture a healthy mind for a healthy body.