Exercises that help digestion at work

Mumbai, health and fitness, workplace exercises, digestion, acidity, wellness

It's a well-known fact that our frenetic pace of life is a major cause for obesity, heart ailments and nutritional deficiencies. But while these health issues are widely known, indigestion or acidity is a major side effect caused due to long working hours, irregular eating hours and sedentary lifestyle.

Ritesh Shaiwal, senior fitness manager at health club Fitness First, suggests that if you are too hard-pressed to do exercises in your office, you can simply replace your chair with a swiss ball. This will boost your metabolism and activate the core stabiliser muscles.

Dr Snehal Mantgani, lecturer at the Gold's Gym Fitness Institute informs that a fitness regime should be accompanied with a good diet and three litres of water/day. She suggests a few exercises that can be done at work, which help improve digestion and reduce bloating and stiffness.

Pics/Pradeep Dhivar

1. Sit up straight in your chair and place your arms on your waist. Twist your upper body on each side and hold the position for few seconds.

2. Rest your back against a wall and bend your knees at 90 degrees. More than digestion, this exercise helps reduce the stiffness in muscles and makes you more agile.

3. If you feel bloated while at work and have a long day to go, try crossing your arms across the chest and sitting up straight in your chair. Pull your abdominal area in till you feel the abs tensed and curl your shoulders towards your hips. Don't bend forward during this process. Hold the shoulder in that position for few seconds.

4. Keep your back straight and sit on the edge of your chair. Stretch your arms and pull your abdomen in tightly. Relax and repeat.