Many times, people in their first consultation with an Ayurvedic physician or with a naturopath get surprised when one of the first things they are asked is how do they go to the bathroom. The reason for this question is that the digestive phase of elimination is key to our health. As your see, Ayurveda has recommendations for this as well. 

The digestive system is a great tube that processes food. We give a lot of importance to what enters our mouths (and we should), but unfortunately, we avoid talking about what comes out through the other end. I don´t encourage that poop should be the theme of conversation in your next date, but at least it should be part of what you talk about with the people involved in your health and definetely with yourself. The bowel movements are the last product resulting from the complex chain of actions of the digestive system and their characteristics indicate if everything is working well or if there are any issues in previous phases.

According to Ayurveda, the ideal bowel movement has these characteristics:

• Smell: it doesn´t smell! Well, maybe a little, but it is hardly perceptible.
• Color: it might vary from darker to a little lighter, but it also has to do with what you have eaten.
• Shape: it should have a long shape, like a snake, not too thick not too thin.  
• Consistency: firm and compact, not too dry not too soft, in a way that it doesn’t get the anus dirty and when you clean yourself the paper hardly notices it.
• Frequency: we should go to the bathroom once a day (if not two), the first one in the morning and before breakfast, as little children do.

The regularity and time when we go to the bathroom is of great importance for the health of the body, the mind and the soul. Probably the most important part of the morning cleansing routine. If you don´t go to the bathroom first thing in the morning yet, try these ayurtips:

• Make sure that you drink plenty of water every day and that you eat veggies and fruits abundantly.
• Wake up early, before sunrise, if possible, because at that time the dominant energetic pulsation is descending, making it ideal for elimination.
• Upon awakening, maintain a relaxed and tranquil state of mind. If you are stressed or perform activities that create anxiety, like going through emails, your sphincter will tighten and will direct the fecal matter upwards.
• Drink two big glasses of warm or lukewarm water with a splash of lemon that will hydrate the intestine and facilitate its cleanse.
• Wait until your body gives you the signals and then go to the bathroom.
• Be patient, it will take your body a little bit to settle into the new habit. 

Look at the toilet fearless and if you see that it doesn’t resemble the ideal poop description above, it might be time to ask a professional.

aham prema

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