If your pants fit fine in the morning, but you find yourself struggling with that top button later in the day, you’re experiencing bloat. The main cause of bloating is a buildup of excess gas in your system. This can happen for a number of reasons: the food you eat, your activity level, what you drink, or even an oncoming stomach bug.
Because there are so many reasons why bloating can happen, it’s best to have a variety of remedies at your disposal. Try these 5 effective ways to banish bloat:
1: Drink Herbal Tea
Specifically, chamomile and peppermint teas can help to reduce bloating symptoms and eliminate excess gas.
Peppermint tea contains menthol which has a calming effect on a churning stomach as well as a soothing effect on the nerves. And those who suffer from a nervous stomach may find that peppermint tea is especially helpful in combating gas pains and cramping.
Chamomile has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. If your gas and bloating is due to indigestion, chamomile tea could be very effective.
2: Go for a Walk
Gas can sometimes build up in our systems if we remain seated for a long time. This can happen on an extended car ride, on an airplane, or even at your desk in the middle of the workday.
The best remedy for this type of gas and bloating is to go for a short walk. The combination of standing upright and moving your body gently will allow the gas to escape more naturally, and yes that means what you think it means. It’s got to come out the usual way, so you might as well let it!
3: Eat Ginger
Some gas and bloat happens as a result of a generally upset stomach. Ginger contains stomach-calming properties and has been used for centuries as a means of alleviating everything from car sickness to a full-blown stomach virus. If your parents ever gave you ginger ale while you were home from school sick, this was the theory behind it.
If eating raw ginger isn’t your thing (it can be a pretty intense flavor), don’t worry! You can find ginger in cookies, in real ginger ale, and even in some lollipops or lozenges specifically designed to settle an upset stomach.
4: Try Some Yoga Positions
Once gas gets trapped in your system, the situation can quickly go from “slightly uncomfortable” to “extremely noticeable” in a short time. If you’re not able to go for a walk, or if walking doesn’t seem to help, try a few yoga positions. Specifically, Child’s Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, and the Cat/Cow Pose can encourage the trapped gas to move along, and take the uncomfortable bloat with it.
5: Eat Gas-Busting Herbs
Carminative herbs are known for aiding the expulsion of excess gas. Eating foods flavored with the following herbs can help reduce bloat naturally and deliciously:
- Cumin
- Dill
- Basil
- Caraway
- Cinnamon
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Nutmeg
You don’t have to rely on supplements or OTC medications the next time gas and bloat sneak up on you. Try these natural remedies instead, and rest assured that your pants will fit as well at 7 pm as they did at 7 am.
