Nature has cycles.

Our body has cycles.

Each day cycles through waking and sleeping, and even through our waking hours we have cycles of productivity and required rest, called ultradian rhythms, which last about every 80-120 minutes for productive focus before we need to ‘check out’ from work and switch gears – play, rest, get outside. This is about honoring biological rhythm and energy instead of managing our to do list in spite of our energy and body’s needs.

We work, then we rest.

Or, we don’t, and we bring on a host of habits that work against our health and happiness.

Culturally, we could be better about allowing the fallow, dark season of fall and winter to help us rest and turn inward. The pace of our day, and our life directly impacts our health. We’re heading into winter in the Northern Hemisphere, so today I’m sharing 3 Quick Tips to Help You Stay Regular.

Yup, we’re talking poo today.

Know that this daily function (ideally) sets us up for better pelvic floor function, feeling lighter, less bloat and gas, and often a better mood. Who doesn’t love a good BM?

When we suffer from constipation or incomplete bowel movements, it puts excess pressure on our organs and into the pelvic joints and pelvic floor tissues. It can also wreak havoc on your rectum (anyone ever have hemorrhoids?)

Autumn is a drying season, so it goes without mention (but here it is) to stay hydrated. Oiled self massage can help by nurturing our skin, moisturizing us from the outside in, too.

I’d love to hear what helps you poo, or how I can help you.

3 Quick Tips To Keep You Regular

1) Slow Down
Pooping takes a minute, and one of the barriers to a good BM I’ve identified when working with a number of my private clients is literally having enough time in their morning to allow this ritual.

If we’re always rushing, it’s easy to miss the call…then we end up backed up for hours. No bueno. Give yourself the gift of a little more space so you can go easily.

2) Breathe
The cue to breathe here is synonymous with relax. When we breathe well, our entire abdomen is moved, massaged, circulated. The relaxation response is often called ‘rest and digest’. Straining, pushing, and force could be simply a habit, or a unwelcome side effect of dealing with constipation – we wanna get that shit out, pardon my french.

This tip also applies to all waking hours – become conscious of your breath so that all day long, you’re creating better motility (movement) of your internal organs.

Relaxing deeply helps your sphincters and pelvic floor allow the passage of poo. Next time you want to grit your teeth or hold your breath, take a big sigh and exhale instead.

3) Know how peristalsis works
Peristalsis is natural, rhythmic contractions of our bowel that move stool down and out – it actually happens several times each day.

This phenomenon is stimulated when we wake up, when we consume something (eat/drink), and by a compound that exists in coffee (not the caffeine itself). Also, physical activity gets us moving, inside and out – so keep moving, friends.

Digestion and bathroom habits so often relate to pelvic floor disorders, kind of a chicken and egg scenario.

I provide a safe space for women in my online program, Embody Your True Center, where you get help with things like urinary incontinence (leaking pee), bowel habits, pelvic pain, improving sensuality and groundedness.

If you want to feel more confident and comfortable, pelvis and all, I invite you to check out the program here.

May your poo become regular as you invite more space, breath and rest into your daily rhythm.

Please let me know if these tips help you go. 😉

Love,

Cheri

PS: Early birds singing up for my program EYTC get a bonus program all about movement practice for better bowels and a happy belly. Get it here.