Month: August 2017

Indigestion Issues?

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Health & Wellness

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is the uncomfortable feeling you get in your belly usually during a meal or after. It usually comes with bloating, nausea or vomiting, belching, and gas. In some cases, you can feel it while or after having a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). It can occur after eating spicy or fatty foods, food high in acidity, and from overeating. It is usually the symptom of an underlying problem like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, gallbladder disease, or irritable bowel syndrome just to name a few.

If you are having indigestion issues and are tired of taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, you might have already started looking into natural remedies to help you overcome those issues. There are many natural remedies to choose from, but there are a few that stand out the most and actually top of the list when helping ease the pain and comfortability of indigestion and all that it brings.

There are some preventive measures that can be taken to minimize indigestion symptoms. These would be the first line of defense to combat indigestion. Such as frequently eating smaller meals. You can do this by eating a small meal or snack every 2 to 3 hours. Also, eating at a slower pace can help your indigestion; it also reminds you to eat more mindfully. Limiting your caffeine intake and increasing your water intake are also good ways to help with indigestion. Make sure not to eat too late in the evening, this actually causing the heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion that you are working to combat. Adding whole foods to your diet such as lean meat, fruits and vegetables are a great way to get your body healthy and avoid upset stomach and avoiding spicy foods.

Sometimes it can be hard to remember to do all these things (especially avoiding spicy foods in my case), so there are other natural remedies out there that will help with indigestion as well. These are the top few I found while doing my research:

  • Baking soda – acts as an antacid
    • Mix about 1/2 a teaspoon baking soda with a cup of water.
    • Can drink up to 2 to 3 times daily.
  • Ginger – promotes healthy digestion
    • You can add ginger as a spice to your meal.
    • You can make yourself a ginger tea to drink.
    • You can add 2 teaspoons of ginger juice and 1 teaspoon of honey to a warm cup of water to drink.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – has alkalizing effect
    • Mix a tablespoon of ACV and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of water.
    • Can drink up to 2 to 3 times daily.
  • Fennel Seeds – contain volatile oils that help reduce nausea and control flatulence
    • In a cup of hot water, add 2 tablespoons of fennel and leave it to steep for a while. Strain the water and add a teaspoon of honey. Can drink up to 2 to 3 times daily.
    • You can chew a spoonful of fennel seeds.
    • You can dry roast, grind, and sieve fennel seeds. Take 1/2 a teaspoon of this powder along with water. Follow this remedy twice daily.
  • Chamomile – calms the stomach and soothes spasms in the intestinal tract
    • You can take a half-teaspoon chamomile tincture up to three times daily.
    • You can have a nice cup of chamomile tea.
  • Peppermint – the oil soothes intestinal muscle spasms and helps relieve nausea
    • You can take one or two capsules containing 0.2 milliliters of oil per capsule three times a day, between meals.
    • You can have a nice cup of peppermint tea.
  • Aloe vera juice – reduces inflammation
    • If you have a 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice before a meal, it will settle your stomach.
    • It is also a laxative, so be mindful that you will probably need to be near a bathroom.

There are plenty more remedies out there, what are some you have tried?

Value Yourself & Others

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Mindful Living

Sometimes we are faced with the hard choice of how exactly we should measure our value. It can be hard because most people will immediately think of their status in life (career, family, etc.) instead of their self-worth (what is inside of them). We think of all the external aspects and not the internal.

Your attitude towards yourself is EVERYTHING!

With that being said, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of self-worth or value? For me, it is self-esteem. In sociology and psychology, self-esteem reflects a person’s overall subjective emotional evaluation of his/her own worth. It is a judgment of oneself as well as an attitude toward the self. If you are struggling with believing you are a valued individual, it will be hard for you to open yourself up to love.

Though you might find it strange, take a hard look at yourself in the mirror and say “You are AMAZING!” Say it with conviction, knowing that it is true. Each and every one of us is made differently but made amazingly. It is important that we recognize the good traits we have that help increase our self-esteem and value. Some of those traits can be: Kind, Intelligent, Humble, Generous, Nurturing, Patient, Brave, Listener. That is just to name a few. I bet if you look inside yourself, you can think of more traits than that.

Sometimes it can be hard to see the value inside when the outside world is telling you to feel insecure about yourself. I have found that there a few exercises out there that will help you to block out the outside noise and listen to the positive voice within. One way to that is to keep a gratitude journal and in it each day write five good things about that day. Expressing gratitude for even the smallest things helps open you up to not only appreciating the day but in time appreciating yourself.

You can also start a self-esteem journal. I actually found a really good worksheet on a website that has helped me start my own self-esteem journal. The website I found it on is called Therapist Aid and it has an abundance of resources for mental health professionals on multiple topics for clients of all ages. I found the tools and worksheets to be quite helpful. They have a free membership and paid memberships resources available.**

Power pose is also another great way to keep or boost your confidence and self-esteem high. First, you stand in front of a mirror that allows you to see your entire body. Then, place both hands on your hips (men, use fists) and stand up straight with your chest high. While looking at yourself in your power pose, recognize that you have the soul of a hero and now you look like one. Say to yourself, “You got this! You can do anything you set your mind to! You are AWESOME! I love YOU!”

All of these actions help increase the love you feel for yourself because you appreciate all that you are and all that you can be. Remember to take it one day at a time. YOU got this!

Namaste!

 

 

**Please note: I would never recommend you stop following the care of your health care professional. I only suggest other tools that can be used in addition.