THE WELL New York will reopen this summer — stay tuned for updates!

Jacqueline Seymour, Health Coach

Jacqueline Seymour

Health Coach

Reviewed By

 Dr. Frank Lipman sits on a chair, cross-legged, arm resting on the back of the chair, lightly touching his other hand that is resting on his thigh. He is wearing blue denim, a blue dress shirt and a navy textured blazer and black glasses. He is smiling, showing his front teeth looking off to the side.

Dr. Frank Lipman

Chief Medical Officer at THE WELL

Published: 02/27/2025

Your digestive health plays a key role in your overall well-being, and certain movements can help stimulate digestion, reduce bloating, and promote regularity. Try incorporating these simple exercises into your daily routine to keep your gut happy and healthy:

1. Go for a walk

A gentle 10–15-minute walk after meals can increase blood circulation and stimulate the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract, aiding digestion.

2. Try doing a twist

Twists massage the abdominal organs and support digestion:

Seated twist: Sit cross-legged, place your right hand on your left knee, and twist gently. Hold for 15 seconds, then switch sides.

Standing twist: Stand with feet hip-width apart and gently twist your torso side to side, letting your arms swing freely.

Lying down spinal twist: Lie on your back with arms stretched out in a "T" shape. Let your knees fall to one side while keeping your shoulders grounded. 

3. Stretch it out

Cat-cow stretch: Alternate between arching your back (Cow Pose) and rounding it (Cat Pose) while on all fours. This massages the gut and relieves tension.

Knee-to-chest pose: Lie on your back, hug your knees to your chest, and hold for 20 seconds to ease bloating and stimulate your intestines.

4. Get into a deep squat

This pose compresses the abdominal area and encourages elimination. Lower into a deep squat with your heels on the ground, and hold for 20–30 seconds while breathing deeply.

5. Belly Breathing

Deep diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in digestion. Sit or lie down, inhale deeply into your belly, and exhale slowly. Repeat for 1–2 minutes.

Tip: Pair these movements with hydration and a fiber-rich diet to maximize their benefits. A few minutes of intentional movement can make a big difference in how you feel!

Read More

yoga poses for better digestion
Try This Yoga Sequence to Boost Digestion

Harness the healing power of yoga to help your gut do its job.

Woman sitting in a wooden chair holding a lemon and an orange.
Decoding Your Digestion

From bloating to BMs, here’s how to understand what’s going on — and going wrong — in your gut.

ayurvedic spices
7 Ayurvedic Secrets for Healthy Digestion

Soothe your stomach and improve digestion with these Ayurvedic diet tips.