Evening walk: Doctor shows how to improve digestion and sleep!

After a long day at work, many people like to take a walk in the evening to relax, relieve stress and help with better digestion after dinner.

However, does walking too late at night affect your health? And what is the best time to walk in the evening for both digestion and sleep?

Why is taking a walk after dinner so pleasant?

Dr. Surakshith TK, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Fortis Escort Hospital (India), explains that walking after meals is indeed beneficial. After eating, walking helps stimulate the digestive system. It promotes the contractions of the digestive tract, helping to reduce bloating or a feeling of fullness. Gentle exercise supports peristalsis – the contractions that push food through the digestive tract. This means that if you've just had a heavy dinner and feel bloated, a gentle walk can help you feel better, allowing your bowels to function smoothly and reducing the feeling of fullness, according to the health website Only My Health.

After a long day at work, many people enjoy taking a walk in the evening to relax and relieve stress.

Photo: AI

What happens if you go for a walk too late at night?

However, the timing of your walk is crucial. According to Dr. Surakshith, problems begin when walking too late, especially close to bedtime. Our bodies operate on a circadian rhythm, regulating not only sleep but also digestion, he explains. Exercising at night can disrupt this circadian clock, slowing digestion and affecting gut function.

Walking late at night and at high intensity can wake the body up when it should be resting, reducing sleep quality and causing fatigue the next day. Poor sleep also impacts the gut microbiome, easily leading to problems such as indigestion, constipation, or bloating.

The right way to take an evening walk.

Dr. Surakshith emphasized that there's no need to avoid evening walks, but rather to do them correctly.

Walking for 30-60 minutes after a meal can aid digestion. Just avoid excessive exercise when your body needs to relax.

Specifically:

• Take a walk after dinner, not before bed.
• Walk slowly or at a moderate pace, avoiding fast walking or strenuous activity late at night.
• Listen to your body – if you have trouble sleeping or feel bloated, reduce the intensity.
• View it as a relaxing activity, not an exercise session, according to Only My Health .

In summary, walking after dinner is great for digestion and mood, but walking too late can be counterproductive, disrupting sleep and affecting gut health. Gentle, well-timed walks will help you achieve the perfect balance between relaxation and healthy digestion.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/di-bo-buoi-toi-bac-si-chi-cach-de-tot-cho-tieu-hoa-lan-giac-ngu-185251028234605133.htm