How To Soothe Constipation With Easy Home Remedies Pt. 1
Constipation. The word alone is bad enough and it evokes the worst gut feelings (pun intended).
I’m not one to candidly talk about my bathroom and stomach issues at dinner parties. Unfortunately, we all know people who do.
I personally use every alternative, lighthearted word possible to avoid saying the correct terms. (A little childish but I can’t be the only one, right?)
Constipation happens to the best of us and it occurs for many reasons.
You went gung-ho on the starchy breads, avoided water at all costs, weren’t as active as you should’ve been or possibly just made some poor food choices such as eating junk food for your three square meals a day.
The causes are many but it’s crucial to know what to do when you’re stuck in that rut.
Being constipated is the worst and it can actually lead to bigger problems if it goes on for too long.
So let’s take a look at some home remedies for relieving that icky word that all of us dread.
Easy Home Remedies:
1. Olive Oil
The consistency of oil alone can be a big giveaway when relating to constipation relief.
Pure olive oil is a healthy fat that may do wonders for relieving constipation.
The oil stimulates the digestive system and helps things get a move on.
What you’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional but may boost effects and taste)
Directions:
When you get up in the morning, take the olive oil and lemon juice mixture on an empty stomach.
If you aren’t able to take it in the morning, then wait a few hours after eating breakfast or lunch.
2. Lemon Juice
As previously mentioned above, lemon juice may also help speed things up for your digestive system.
Lemon juice stimulates and possibly detoxifies on its way through your system.
It also has antioxidants, which are always good to have in your diet.
What you’ll need:
- 1 fresh lemon (any size will do)
- 1 cup of warm water
Directions:
Squeeze the juice from the lemon into the cup of warm water. Stir until mixed thoroughly and drink up!
3. Coffee
Coffee, aka the greatest invention known to man, can be a big helper when things get stopped up.
Coffee contains caffeine, which can naturally stimulate the digestive system.
What you’ll need:
- 1 – 2 cups of coffee
- Your choice of sweetener or cream
Directions:
Make the coffee to your liking, but don’t drink more than 2 cups.
Coffee is a diuretic, which makes you lose fluid more rapidly.
This can cause dehydration and even more constipation if you’re not drinking enough water.
4. Exercise
When your belly hurts and you’re constipated, the thought of exercising seems horrendous.
However, if you want to get things moving, you have to move!
You don’t need to pop in a p90x workout DVD, but you do need to get up and get going.
Directions:
Jump on the treadmill or go outside and take a 15 – 20 minute walk or jog.
Wait about an hour after eating a big meal before you exercise.
5. Fiber
Fiber is a tricky little devil. Too much or too little can be a bad thing.
Too much fiber can lead to constipation or diarrhea, but too little can lead to constipation as well.
The key is to get just the right amount.
Women should get 25 grams of fiber a day.
Men should get 30 to 38 grams of fiber daily.
You can take a fiber supplement, but getting it naturally through food is one of the best bets.
Foods that are a good source of fiber are:
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Nuts
- Whole grain bread
- Plums, apples, and pears
- Apricots
- Potatoes
6. Probiotics
If you haven’t heard by now, probiotics are some of the best supplements for alleviating stomach issues like constipation, gas, diarrhea, and bloating.
Probiotics help balance out the bacteria levels in the body, which can get drastically out of whack.
Probiotics are the “friendly” bacteria that help our systems stay on track.
You can find great options for a probiotic in our list of the 10 best probiotic supplements.
Once you have found the perfect supplement, take as directed to start seeing some constipation relief.
In Conclusion…
Constipation is no fun.
It leaves you feeling sluggish, uncomfortable, and downright grumpy.
You don’t have to suffer though if you utilize some of the home remedies I mentioned.
You can try olive oil, lemon juice, fiber rich foods, exercise, coffee, or our personal favorite, probiotics.
Next time you’re slowed down, try these remedies out and get feeling better quick!
