Wellness
7 Ways to Decrease (and Prevent) Bloat Naturally
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We’ve all been there—unbuttoning our jeans after a big meal, changing into leggings as soon as we get home, bending over in pain from built-up gas. There’s nothing fun about feeling uncomfortable. Here are some methods we’ve found helpful for decreasing and preventing the (dreaded) bloat.
FOR DECREASING BLOAT
Use essential oils.
Try creating your own at-home blends using essential oils like ginger, peppermint, fennel, and lemon. If you don’t have these oils handy, buy premade blends created specifically for gut health (we love Saje’s Gutzy roll-on). Rub these directly on your stomach for instant relief!
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Use essential oils.
Try creating your own at-home blends using essential oils like ginger, peppermint, fennel, and lemon. If you don’t have these oils handy, buy premade blends created specifically for gut health (we love Saje’s Gutzy roll-on). Rub these directly on your stomach for instant relief!
Drink tea.
Drinking hot tea feels fantastic on a bloated belly—and can help reduce swelling. Stick to teas like peppermint, chamomile, lemon, or ginger for optimal relief.
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Drink tea.
Drinking hot tea feels fantastic on a bloated belly—and can help reduce swelling. Stick to teas like peppermint, chamomile, lemon, or ginger for optimal relief.
Try yoga.
Although you probably want to go into Corpse pose when you’re feeling extra bloated, it isn’t the best for releasing trapped air. Try these yoga moves to help relieve tension and get things moving (if you know what we mean).
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Try yoga.
Although you probably want to go into Corpse pose when you’re feeling extra bloated, it isn’t the best for releasing trapped air. Try these yoga moves to help relieve tension and get things moving (if you know what we mean).
Go for a walk.
A little bit of light exercise after a heavy meal can help reduce your overall bloating. You don’t need to hop on the treadmill every time you eat, but a short walk right after lunch or dinner can do wonders for your belly.
FOR PREVENTING BLOAT
Now that you’ve learned a few ways to take care of bloating once you’re already experiencing it, let’s talk about how to prevent it!
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Go for a walk.
A little bit of light exercise after a heavy meal can help reduce your overall bloating. You don’t need to hop on the treadmill every time you eat, but a short walk right after lunch or dinner can do wonders for your belly.
FOR PREVENTING BLOAT
Now that you’ve learned a few ways to take care of bloating once you’re already experiencing it, let’s talk about how to prevent it!
Practice mindful eating.
Do you ever feel bloated after you inhale your food? Whether you’re *extra* hungry or scarfing down a meal on the go, eating fast (or chewing with your mouth open) takes in a lot of extra air, which causes you to feel bloated or uncomfortable. Remind yourself to chew your food thoroughly, take smaller bites, and take your time finishing meals (it can be hard!).
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Practice mindful eating.
Do you ever feel bloated after you inhale your food? Whether you’re *extra* hungry or scarfing down a meal on the go, eating fast (or chewing with your mouth open) takes in a lot of extra air, which causes you to feel bloated or uncomfortable. Remind yourself to chew your food thoroughly, take smaller bites, and take your time finishing meals (it can be hard!).
Choose your foods wisely.
The types of foods we put into our bodies have a significant effect on the way we feel afterward. From beans to wheat, try to stay away from these 13 foods if you have been experiencing frequent bloating.
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Choose your foods wisely.
The types of foods we put into our bodies have a significant effect on the way we feel afterward. From beans to wheat, try to stay away from these 13 foods if you have been experiencing frequent bloating.
Avoid bubbles!
This one may seem obvious, too, but super carbonated drinks—such as soda, beer, and champagne—can lead to a buildup of gas in your stomach. Maybe think about skipping the mimosa at brunch on an extra “bloaty” morning (but if you don’t, we won’t judge).
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Avoid bubbles!
This one may seem obvious, too, but super carbonated drinks—such as soda, beer, and champagne—can lead to a buildup of gas in your stomach. Maybe think about skipping the mimosa at brunch on an extra “bloaty” morning (but if you don’t, we won’t judge).
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
