Nobody likes that tight, bloated feeling putting pressure on the waistline of your pants. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can also make you feel unattractive and lose your confidence.
You don’t have to settle for unbuttoning your jeans to relieve the pressure from bloating. And if you’d like to prevent bloating in the first place, check out the causes of bloating and water retention.
Go for a walk
Feeling constipated? Some exercise can help your body move stool and gas out of the colon and make bowel movements more regular, according to the health resource website Medical News Today. If it feels too uncomfortable to do vigorous exercise, just a walk around the block can be enough to create some colonic movement.
Try these yoga poses
Certain yoga poses can help relieve built-up gas that may be putting pressure on your stomach.
Child’s pose: To get into child’s pose, start by kneeling on all fours. From there, push the bum back to sit on the heels. Stretch the arms out in front of the body, touching the mat. Adjust the knees for comfort.
Knee to chest pose: Start by lying on the back and bring the legs up, bending at the knees to form 90 degree angles. Keeping the knees and ankles together, grab the front of each knee or upper thigh and pull the thighs close to the chest. While doing this, tuck the chin into the chest or try to kiss the knees.
Seated forward fold: Sit with your feet shoulder-width apart in front of you. Reach the hands forward without curling your back, trying to touch your toes.
Massage your abdominals
Medical News Today suggests this abdominal massage can help relieve pressure from your intestines. Place your hands just above the right hip bone and rub in a circular motion with light pressure up to the right side of the ribcage. Rub straight across the upper belly area toward the left rib cage and move slowly down toward the left hip bone.
Take a bath
Stress may cause bloating, so relaxing may help alleviate bloating. Plus, the warm water from the bath may help with any abdominal pain, according to Medical News Today.
Opt for peppermint
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology suggests peppermint oil can help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including bloating. And here’s a bonus with peppermint: swallowing air while chewing gum can cause bloating as well, so popping a peppermint candy may prevent bloating.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322525.php
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321556.php
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-ways-to-reduce-bloating
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-flat-belly-tips#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24100754/
