STEPS YOU CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW TO IMPROVE DIGESTION

Improving digestion can be very simple.  With the tweak of a few minor lifestyle practices, you can be on your way to better digestion immediately!

In Ayurveda, digestion is the key to optimal health.  All health starts in the digestive tract.  All disease starts there as well.  

Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE routine. My husband kind of hates me for it at times.  But when I’m gone for the day or I am out of town…he always sees the difference.  The routine seems to go out the window. And without the routine; tantrums are higher, the kids are tired, and everyone is constantly snacking yet still asking for food.

Routine is also a form of digestive medicine.  It is the start and foundation of digestive health.  By implementing an eating and sleeping routine into your family’s lifestyle, you will implement a form of digestive medicine into your lifestyle.

Your body and digestive system LOVE routine!

What Are The Ideal Times to Eat Meals:

Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid and pumps blood into the digestive system.  It does this in accordance with certain biorhythms. This acid is what starts the breakdown of food you have ingested.

Blood is a critical component of strong digestion.  It is part of the battery that gives power to your digestive system.  Blood flow is also programmed to be available at certain times of day to aid in digestion.

When you eat meals at the same times daily…the stomach has optimal HCL and blood to digest food. When you skip meals, HCL is still present in the stomach. But no food is there. This is clearly not ideal.

To optimize digestion, eat meals at the following times:

1. Breakfast — Between 7-8 am

2. Lunch — Between 12-1 pm

3. Dinner — Between 5-6 pm

Furthermore, digestion is strongest during the middle of the day.  This means your lunch is the easiest for your body to digest.  Therefore, eating your largest meal of the day at lunch is a good move.

Making lunch your biggest meal allows your body plenty of time to digest the meal.  Your body also absorbs the most nutrients from your lunchtime meal.  Do not deprive your body of the crucial nutrients it can absorb during this time of day.  You get serious return on your investment (nutrient wise) mid-day.

Dinner should be your lightest meal of the day.  Your digestive capabilities weaken as the day progresses.  As a result, eating a light dinner ensures the day’s nutrients are digested before you sleep.

When all your day’s food is digested by bedtime, your body can focus on other processes during the night.  Your organs are able to detox vs. focusing on digestion.  As a result, you get more restful sleep.  This will leave you more well rested in the morning.  It will also lead to overall better health.

Optimal Sleep Routine:

Sleep is another critical component of our health.  During sleep, our organs are detoxifying.  Our bedtime and wake up times are important elements to consider.

 The ideal times for sleep are:

1. Bedtime — Asleep by 10 pm

2. Wakeup — Awake by 7 am

Around 10 pm the body enters a 2nd stage of alertness.  If we are not asleep by this hour, it is more difficult to fall asleep.  This robs us of energy that belongs to the following day.  Simultaneously, organ detoxification begins during these hours.  If you are awake, your body is not able to detox certain organs.

Getting a full night of restorative sleep leads to a more productive day the following day.  It also increases immunity and vitality.  When we are well rested, our minds function better.  Going to bed by 10 pm will keep you looking and feeling younger.

Do not take sleep for granted. It is crucial to your short and long term health.

In this photo the girls are performing one of their dances.  Even with dances and performances, their routines guide them to be synchronized and achieve their goals.

Are you managing a routine to optimize your health??

If not, what is preventing you from eating or sleeping on a routine?