From sipping a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoying the fog outside the window to snuggling into the blanket, the winter season is a lot of wonderful things, but the same cannot be said about our digestive system in the cold weather. Winter comes with its own set of health aberrations but one such disease that is quite commonly noticed in the winter season is poor digestive health leading to Indigestion.
What Is Indigestion?
Indigestion medically termed dyspepsia or an upset stomach can be described as pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen. It is chiefly associated with symptoms like abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, bloating, constipation etc.
Also Read: Indigestion: Best Home Remedies To Treat Your Stomach Woes Naturally
What Causes Indigestion In Winter?
The chilly winter weather influences more than just the surrounding temperature. Even the human body endures changes in metabolism, energy levels, and, even, digestive health. Indigestion in winter primarily stems due to lingering at home for long, being physically inactive, having a sedentary lifestyle and gorging on oily, spicy and junk foods. The low temperatures not only reduce physical activity and increase body fatigue but also ups caloric intake, resulting in a higher body mass index. All these aspects lead to a slow digestion process, ultimately causing acid reflux, heartburn, bowel issues, bloating, and other digestion-related woes.
While popping an antacid might bring solace but if you want a permanent fixture of this digestive issue, then trust us when we say, Yoga can be your go-to remedy.
Also Read: Facing Trouble With A Bloated Tummy? 5 Proven Yogasanas To Provide Relief From Gassy Gut
How Does Yoga Help With Indigestion?
Several pieces of scientific evidence indicate that the diaphragmatic tone lessens reflux from the stomach to the oesophagus and holding the head above the sternum can help the body’s centre of gravity to ward off acid reflux. Certain yoga postures that help open up blocked channels in the neck, chest, and shoulders while gently contracting the abdominal cavity are beneficial remedies for treating indigestion and reducing pent-up acidity. Additionally, it also relieves stress and tension from the bodily tissues that might contribute to digestive anomalies, improve body metabolism and keep obesity at bay.
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We bring you 5 such yoga poses that not only remedy indigestion but also promote digestive health.
Spectacular Yoga Poses To Cure Indigestion
Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose)
Crouch on your knees with your feet side-by-side to each other. Sit on your heels with your backbone and neck straight. Relax your hands on your thighs with your palms down. Now look straight ahead and sit in that position for at least 30 seconds while taking long deep breaths. Relax and repeat it5 times.
Benefits:
An incredibly easy posture, Vajrasana is the only pose that can be executed right after lunch as it helps in the complete digestion of food. By boosting blood flow to the stomach and intestine, it promotes digestive fire and helps keep gastrointestinal aberrations at bay. Additionally, it is also beneficial for deterring premature greying of hair and stimulating hair growth.
Pavanamuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
Lie down straight on the ground with your backbone firmly placed on the ground. Fold your legs, bring them to your chest and embrace them with both arms. Raise your head gradually off the floor and bring your nose in between your knees. Be in this stance for a few seconds while you inhale and exhale deeply, and then return to the initial lying position.
Benefits:
The wind-relieving pose also works productively on the gastrointestinal system, by stimulating and regulating it properly. The gentle and constant pressure on the tummy helps in discharging trapped gases, thus stimulating digestion and lessening bloating. It also assists in loosening up the muscles in the abdomen, buttocks, and anus, and provides relief from piles and constipation.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Kneel on the floor, with your legs touching the ground and soles facing up. Next, while holding your hips, keep your knees and shoulders in a straight line. Inhale, and bend backwards, while clutching your feet with your hands for balance. Be in this stance for a minute or as long as you can, then slowly come back to an upright seated position, while keeping your legs and hands-free.
Benefits:
The Camel Pose is exemplary in strengthening and stretching the lower abdomen and also improving overall posture. It not only encourages movement of free prana throughout the bodily channels while ensuring better potency of the stomach and lower abdominal organs but also prevents acid reflux and improves digestion.
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bent Pose)
Start this posture by sitting normally on the ground with your legs stretched out side-by-side to each other. While keeping your back perpendicular to the ground, lift your hands. Exhale and bend forward while stretching out your arms, keeping them horizontal to your legs. Put pressure on your abdomen by trying to hold your big toes without bending your knees. Stay in this stance for 30 seconds or as long as you can. Come back to the initial seated position and repeat the asana 5 times.
Benefits:
The seated forward bend posture is extremely stress-relieving and immune-boosting. It plays a substantial role in preventing acid reflux from the stomach while also stretching the abdominal organs. It is also a notable posture for those who are prone to gastrointestinal disruptions.
Supta Badha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)
Initiate the asana by lying down horizontally on the ground with a straight back. Keep your the hands close to the body without touching it. With the knees bent sideways, gradually pull both your legs in towards the body as much as possible. Stay in this posture for 1 minute, then extend both legs completely outwards and relax. For providing additional support to the spine and back, a soft cushion or pillow can be positioned under the hip while doing this asana.
Benefits:
The Reclining bound angle pose is one of the best postures for steering clear of gastrointestinal aberrations. This leaning posture, relaxes the abdominal muscles which in turn helps ease abdominal pain and heartburn. Additionally, it also provides relief from PMS symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and headaches.