Say Goodbye to Christmas Bloating with These 5 Natural Remedies

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – until you eat a bit too much of that delicious cake or ask for an extra steak at Christmas dinner. This delicious feast can have a negative impact on your digestive system, leaving you feeling crampy and bloated (talk about a ruined Christmas!).

So what can you do to enjoy this Holiday season without worrying about the next-day stomach pains?

Well, we’ve got 5 natural, affordable remedies you can go for before and after each feast – because let’s be honest: we deserve at least three of them after such a difficult year!

Take a walk

I know, I know: walking is probably the last thing you feel like doing after eating for two hours straight. Difficult as it may seem though, even a short walk can regulate your bowel movement, thus helping you eliminate gas. This practice can also work wonders if you’re feeling constipated, which is another common complaint post-Christmas dinner.

Use peppermint capsules

Peppermint oil capsules are mostly advertised as a natural remedy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Even if that’s not the case for you, these small pills can still be used occasionally to fight off temporary digestive problems.

How? Well, peppermint can relax your intestinal muscles; much like walking, this helps your body eliminate gas and stool easier.

ATTENTION! If you’re suffering from heartburn, you may need to avoid this product since it can worsen your symptoms. Here are 3 other foods that can give you heartburn this Christmas (and why).

Try abdominal massage

We know abdominal massages help babies release gas, right? Luckily, the same technique can work equally well for us adults – and the best part is that you can do it all by yourself at home. Here’s how:

1. Place your hands above your right hip bone.
2. Rub in a circular motion toward the right side of your ribcage.
3. Rub across your upper belly towards your left ribcage.
4. Move your hands slowly toward the left hip bone.
5. Repeat as many times as necessary.

If you’re feeling any pain during this massage, it’s best to stop and lay down for a while, then try again later. Sometimes your digestive system can be so overloaded from food and drinks that it just can’t handle the extra pressure given by an abdominal massage.

Use essential oils

This product is equally popular and controversial. However, one thing’s for sure: essential oils provide us with a wide range of benefits – including their ability to ease unpleasant digestive symptoms.

Take this study published in 2016: 116 participants suffering from mild-to-moderate IBS had been given curcumin and fennel essential oils supplementation daily. After just 30 days, these patients had their symptoms improved, especially when it comes to abdominal pain and bloating!

ATTENTION! Regardless if you’re a healthy individual or having underlying health conditions, you should always speak to your doctor before opting for an essential oil supplement. Some formulas may not be safe for everyone and it’s best to have a specialist recommend the right dosage for you.

Take a warm bath

What’s better than a warm, relaxing bath after a nice Christmas dinner with your family? The heat of the water can relax your sore abdomen, while reducing stress levels – another contributor to abdominal cramps and bloating. This is probably one of the quickest solutions you can try to soothe your pain.

Long-term tips against bloating

If you’re experiencing bloating, cramps or gas even when you’re not having a feast, you might need something more than a short walk or a massage. The following long-term solutions may release some of the discomfort and regulate your GI tract:

• Quit chewing gum
  Almost every type of chewing gum contains sugar alcohols, which are known for increasing bloating. If gum usually helps you concentrate, you can switch to healthier alternatives such as nut snacks.
• Reduce your salt intake
  When you eat too much sodium on a daily basis, you might end up suffering from water retention. This can make you feel bloated along with other unpleasant symptoms such as swollen feet or hands.
• Improve your diet
  Our daily food choices can affect the way we feel much more than we think. Processed meals, fast food and sodas can all cause deregulations in your digestive system, bloating included. If you’re not sure where to start, keeping a food diary can help you track your eating habits and see where you can make improvements.

Looking for more useful nutrition tips? Check out our posts below:

• 6 Delicious Health Benefits of Mulled Wine
• The Healthiest Food You Can Get at These 12 Fast Food Chains
• Can’t Stop Craving Chocolate? Here’s What It Says About Your Health