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There are few things more frustrating than waking up to start your day and immediately feeling the discomfort of a bloated stomach. Especially if you’ve been eating healthy and trying to live a balanced lifestyle, it can feel incredibly disheartening to continue to struggle with a distended, taut belly. Bloating can stem from a number of causes, from stress and anxiety, to food intolerance, and even lack of sleep. Specifically with abdominal bloating, your body can hold onto gas, creating that hard, inflamed stomach that comes after a big meal. If you’ve been suffering from chronic bloating and need some relief, this is the stretch that health experts recommend practicing each morning to soothe your stomach so you can feel your best.
Yoga has been shown to make a major impact on your body, from loosening tight muscles, to even relieving your stomach of inflammation and bloat. While there are a number of poses to try if you find yourself waking up with a distended belly, the best one to rely on is child’s pose for guaranteed relief from tightness and discomfort. When it comes to eliminating bloat, it’s useful to gently apply pressure to the digestive organs so as to ease the gas which may be building inside, causing your issues.
Nicole Uribarri, fitness trainer for bande explains, “This healing pose is so beneficial for the digestive system, and you may notice that when you're not feeling well, your body naturally makes its way into this shape. When performed with knees together, the upper body rests on the thighs, allowing the knees to gently press against the abdomen and massage the digestive organs--this relieves tensions and can easily soothe an upset stomach.”
To practice child’s pose, start in cat/cow position on your hands and knees, then move your hips back to sit on your feet and stretch your arms out forward. Rest your head on the mat and breathe in and out deeply, allowing your stomach to rest on the tops of your legs. This will help add pressure to your bloated belly, relieving discomfort, and facilitating movement through the stomach. Practicing this first thing in the morning will also help to kickstart your day, promoting a connection with your breath which can be useful for staying grounded.
While bloating is undoubtedly uncomfortable and can be difficult on your mental health when your body fails to reflect the care you put into it, there are simple solutions you can integrate into your daily routine which can alleviate bloating at the source. A combination of stretching, a healthy diet, and a good anti-inflammatory supplement can make all the difference in how your body feels, allowing you to reap the benefits of your healthy lifestyle without inflammation plaguing your day.
