Thanksgiving: Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving? The post-dinner belly bloat, though? Not so much. Whether you’re planning on Black Friday shopping, reuniting with old friends, or continuing to bond with your S.O.’s family, bloating is not something you want to have to deal with today. So, what to do?
Well here are some natural healing ways to help you with the task.
Drink water
Water, water, and more water will help to flush excess sodium out of your system. Try adding lemon to some of those eight-ounce glasses, particularly in the morning, to help with digestion and naturally heal to reduce the amount of salt retained in your body. Add lemon to warm water for maximum effect.
Take a walk
Though sitting on the couch and binge-watching new episodes of Gilmore Girls is tempting, Ganjhu says the best thing you can do immediately after T-day dinner goes for a walk. “Taking a walk is a great way to stimulate gastric motility,” she tells SELF. In addition to that, she and Manning agree that doing anything physical is likely to make you feel better, naturally, heal and Manning even suggests participating in a post-dinner family football game. Basically, the more you move, the faster food will pass through your GI tract.
Drink some mint tea
Mint tea is a well-known naturally healing reliever of stomach pain. That’s because it acts as an antispasmodic of the GI tract, which simply means that it relaxes your intestinal muscles and helps food pass more easily. So, if you’re really feeling the bloat after dinner, Ganjhu suggests opting for a cup of tea instead of another cocktail.
Skip the dairy
Dairy is a common bloating culprit, and it runs rampant even during Thanksgiving dinner. In the morning, skip the cream, yogurt, or cereal at breakfast, and try this smoothie instead to help you start the day on a healthy, detoxifying note.
And if all of this sounds like too much work for you, try rubbing your belly (no, seriously).
“Rubbing your belly in a circular motion will help stimulate gastric motility, which can help you pass gas. It’s the same sort of thing as when you’re trying to burp a baby.” So, if you really, really don’t feel like getting off the couch (we don’t blame you!), this may be just a simple trick for you.
Health is the first factor for concern for people and I don’t blame them. Only in a healthy body can a healthy mind reside. Try these tips to naturally heal.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
What does bloating feel like?
Bloating is a feeling that your stomach feels uncomfortably full. Some people describe bloating as the feeling that they have a balloon in their belly. Oftentimes, bloating will go away on its own.
Is it normal to be bloated after Thanksgiving?
Stomachs are designed to expand when they’re full and contract when they’re empty. So, it is entirely possible that after eating a Thanksgiving meal, you’ll feel somewhat bloated, because your stomach is full.
How do you get rid of Thanksgiving bloat?
Lower your sodium intake for a few days: You’ll want to keep your sodium intake low for at least a week after Thanksgiving to give yourself a chance to properly re-hydrate and de-bloat. Go for a walk after dinner: Get your body moving as soon as you can. This will help your digestion along and fight constipation.
What do you do if you overeat on Thanksgiving?
“Eating lots of salty foods, such as stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, and gravy, can leave you feeling not only puffy and bloated but [also] extremely thirsty.” The solution? Make sure you continually hydrate throughout the day so that you don’t disrupt your sleep, and drink plenty of water the day after as well.
Why do people get sick after Thanksgiving?
People have a habit of leaving the food out on the buffet table long after the meal is finished. If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat. Bacteria prosper at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.