
Yoga expert Akshar shares 7 yoga poses to ease digestion after overeating
There are times when we just can't control ourselves and enjoy our favorite meal down to the last bite. While your soul might feel satisfied, your stomach might not be as happy. Eating a big meal can leave you feeling bloated, uncomfortable, or sluggish. Sure, it happens to all of us now and then, but if it becomes a habit, it can affect your digestion and even lead to weight gain and other health issues. So, what can you do about it? While it is important to be mindful of how much you eat, there is also something else that can help. Practicing gentle yoga poses after overeating (not immediately after eating) can support digestion and help you feel better. These yoga poses will keep your digestion healthy. (Adobe Stock) Benefits of yoga for digestion
Yoga can really help your digestion, especially after you have eaten a big meal. Some gentle stretches and movements help your stomach and other organs work better by improving blood flow and helping food move more smoothly through your system. This can reduce bloating, gas, and that heavy, uncomfortable feeling. Yoga expert Himalayan Siddha Akshar shares a few simple poses you can try after overeating, but make sure to wait at least 30 minutes after eating. Yoga poses to do after overeating
Here are 7 yoga poses to promote digestion after having a big meal: 1. Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose) Sit on your heels with your knees together and your back straight.
Rest your hands on your thighs.
Breathe slowly and deeply.
Stay here for 5–10 minutes. 2. Supta baddha konasana (Reclining bound angle pose) Lie down on your back.
Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall to the sides.
Rest your hands on your belly or by your sides.
Close your eyes and breathe slowly.
Hold for 5–10 minutes. 3. Marjaryasana-bitilasana (Seated cat-cow pose) Sit cross-legged or on your heels.
Place your hands on your knees.
Inhale, arch your back, and lift your chest (cow pose).
Exhale, round your spine, and tuck your chin (cat pose).
Repeat for 1–2 minutes, slowly moving with your breath. 4. Samasthiti (Mountain pose) Stand tall with your feet together and arms by your side.
Spread your toes slightly and balance your weight evenly.
Inhale deeply, lifting your chest and lengthening your spine.
Breathe calmly for 1–2 minutes. 5. Urdhva prasarita padasana (Upward extended feet pose) Lie on your back with your arms by your sides.
Slowly lift both legs up toward the ceiling.
Keep them straight if you can, or slightly bent if needed.
Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, breathing slowly. This yoga pose can support blood circulation.(Adobe Stock) 6. Balasana (Child's pose) Kneel down, then bring your big toes together and knees apart.
Bend forward, resting your upper body on the floor (or on a pillow if it is more comfortable).
Stretch your arms forward or keep them by your sides.
Stay here for a few minutes, breathing deeply. 7. Ananda balasana (Happy baby pose) Lie on your back and bend your knees toward your chest.
Hold the outer edges of your feet with your hands.
Gently pull your knees toward the floor, keeping your ankles over your knees.
Stay here for about 1–2 minutes. Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Justin Timberlake says he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease: Is it common? Here's what you need to know
Singer Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, according to his Instagram post on Wednesday. He wrote that he had considered ending his latest concert tour when diagnosed but 'decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going.' He added that the disease 'can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.' Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans by infected black-legged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks. It can cause flu-like conditions, neurological problems, joint pains and other symptoms. In a majority of cases, Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics and is usually easier to treat if it's diagnosed early. 'It is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The tick picks it up while biting an infected animal and then transmits it to a human while biting it. Lyme disease is more common in temperate forests and tall grasses, especially in North America, Europe and Asia. Ticks that can transmit Lyme disease are found in India, too, particularly in the Himalayan region. Lyme disease is not that common in India but a few thousand cases are reported annually, the last major outbreak being reported from Wayanad, Kerala,' says Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Delhi. Excerpts: Ticks pick up the bacteria from feeding on infected animals, like mice or deer. Once infected, the tick can pass the bacteria to humans through a bite. It usually takes a tick attached to the skin for at least 36 to 48 hours to transmit the bacteria. Therefore, early detection and removal of ticks can greatly reduce the risk of infection. Lyme disease often develops in stages and symptoms may vary from person to person. Early signs typically appear three to 30 days after the tick bite. A distinct bull's-eye rash, usually concentric red circles, develops at the site of the bite and slowly expands. The patient experiences fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, the disease can spread to other parts of the body, leading to more severe symptoms such as joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees. Some patients develop facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), irregular heartbeats, inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Diagnosing Lyme disease often involves a physical examination, discussion of symptoms and a history of possible tick exposure. Blood tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, especially in later stages. Treatment typically involves a course of oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime, depending on the age and health of the patient. Most people recover completely with timely treatment, although some may experience lingering symptoms like fatigue or joint pain — a condition referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). Preventing Lyme disease involves taking precautions when spending time outdoors. Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas. Use insect repellents that contain DEET or permethrin. Perform tick checks after outdoor activities, especially in hard-to-see areas like the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and groin. Shower soon after being outdoors to wash off ticks before they attach. Remove ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers.


Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘I struggled with breastfeeding after gestational diabetes': Expert explains if blood sugar levels affect milk supply
Breastfeeding, I was told, is one of the most intimate and powerful experiences after childbirth. That quiet we-time, skin-to-skin bond was meant to be sacrosanct to not just nurture my baby, but also help me establish connect as a new mother. What nobody prepared me for was the physical and emotional struggle that breastfeeding could be. Gestational diabetes can impact breastfeeding, but it can be managed with the right diet and physical and emotional support.(Adobe Stock) I am Radhika Bhirani, Editor at Health Shots, a women's health and wellness platform by Hindustan Times - and this is my story. My baby refused to latch. He cried - almost howled - the moment I would try to brush his lips against the breast. I cried for hours, helpless that I wasn't being able to do even the most basic thing a mother is expected to do. A lactation expert dismissed me, "He was latching in the hospital". The paediatrician said, "You seem to have given up already... You're not trying hard enough, mommy". The pressure kept building. I tried fenugreek tablets and other galactagogues, but nothing helped. I thought 'Let's use the breast pump, shall we?' But hours of breast pumping could not produce even 5 ml of breast milk a day. It struck me that perhaps gestational diabetes affected my milk production, considering I was on insulin and pills to manage my high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Sane and supportive voices around me reminded me that 'Breast may be best, but fed is truly best'. And so, we settled for feeding the little one with formula milk instead of keeping him hungry and crying. However, the question about how gestational diabetes impacts breastfeeding, was worth getting an answer for. For World Breastfeeding Week 2025, I took a leaf out of my personal journey, and asked Dr Esha Gupta, Consultant - Paediatrics, Paediatric Intensivist and Lactation expert, Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru, about it. "For most first-time mothers, breastfeeding also comes with its own set of expectations and complications. One of the most common things to worry about for a woman who has developed diabetes during pregnancy is, 'Will this affect my ability to make milk?' But the short answer is — it possibly will, but it isn't definitive, and there are a lot of things that can be done to ensure healthy milk output," Dr Gupta tells Health Shots. What is gestational diabetes? Diabetes that typically shows up in the second or third trimester of pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It alters the method in which your body metabolizes insulin and creates higher blood sugars that will impact both baby's and mom's health, if not managed. It usually goes away after delivery — but its impact can persist, especially while nursing, the expert explains. Can gestational diabetes affect milk supply? Milk production is delayed in some mothers due to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. "Additional evidence shows that gestational diabetes mellitus retards the onset of milk production (lactogenesis II), which must be established 2–4 days postpartum," says Dr Gupta. This happens because of insulin, which plays an important part in the hormonal ecosystem for milk production. "For insulin-resistant women — the typical gestational diabetes profile — the body is perhaps not picking up so quickly on the lactation signals. Mix in other risk factors like obesity, PCOS, or hard labor, and the milk 'coming in' will be delayed. What is important to note is that delay is not failure. It is seen that breastfeeding is not an issue when it comes to well-supported and well-fed mothers. Mothers, if provided with a good diet along with ample mental support, helps them to continue with breastfeeding," she adds. Breastfeeding can be hard if a baby doesn't latch or enough milk is not produced. (Freepik) For all women, gestational diabetes doesn't mean you'll not be able to breastfeed. But some may take a little longer and a little more help. What to expect? You can anticipate the first 1–2 days of colostrum (thick yellow milk) production to be in small quantities. Your breasts will be fuller once mature milk comes on day 3 or 4. In case your baby is not wetting diapers (key sign of well-fed baby) or your breasts don't feel full, it is worth a visit to a lactation consultant. Tips to stimulate healthy milk production 1. Early and frequent breastfeeding: Try to breastfeed the infant in the first hour. Breastfeed 2–3 times with a 2–3 hour interval even if it feels like nothing is happening. Stimulation is critical as early as possible. 2. Hand expression or pumping: If the baby is sleeping or having trouble latching (more frequent in diabetic mothers' babies), start pumping at 6 hours postpartum. Pump 8–10 times within 24 hours. 3. Skin-to-skin first priority: This activity is not just about snuggling your baby. It is also said to release milk-induction hormones such as oxytocin. 4. Check postpartum blood glucose levels: Spontaneous blood glucose level at and following delivery may influence energy and lactation hormone levels. Have regular meals and keep glucose checked as recommended. 5. Recharge and rehydrate: Don't forget water, protein meals, and nutritious fat. 6. Emotional support: Worry and doubt turn into an anxiety loop that spoils the milk flow. Have a strong support system that doesn't judge you for your breastfeeding struggle. Home remedies to increase milk production Though few studies are available, a majority of mothers find the following old remedies to work, suggests Dr Gupta: Moringa (Drumstick Leaves): Stimulates lactation and controls blood sugar levels. Fenugreek Seeds: Stimulates milk. But use with caution if you are diabetic as it will lower blood sugar levels. Oats, barley water, and garlic are other age-old lactation-stimulating foods. Also read: 6 foods can increase your breast milk production A word of caution: "Always consult your doctor before adding herbs or supplements, especially if you're managing blood sugar levels." The last word Gestational diabetes can have an impact on timing and amount of milk. Most women with GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) do indeed go on to breastfeed successfully too. (Radhika Bhirani is a senior journalist and editor who tells stories at the intersection of women's health and empowerment.)


Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Can beer be your next beauty solution?
On International Beer Day, as mugs clink and cheers echo, let's look beyond the beverage's intoxicating charm. Could beer be more than just a drink? With beauty influencers hyping DIY beer hair rinses and face masks, it's worth questioning: Does beer really do wonders for your skin and hair? Can beer be your next beauty solution?(Photo: Adobe Stock) What's actually inside? Beer has long been touted for its surprising benefits outside the bar, especially in homegrown beauty remedies. But dermatologists urge a more nuanced look before you start pouring a pint over your scalp. 'While beer does contain some beneficial components for skin and hair, its topical use should be with caution,' says Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, a dermatologist. She explains further, 'key components like vitamins, especially B vitamins like antioxidants, and amino acids can contribute to skin hydration and hair shine. However, the concentration of these beneficial ingredients in beer is relatively low compared to dedicated skincare and haircare products. Besides, absorption of beer ingredients through the skin is limited.' Beer is not a miracle fix Dr Bhardwaj also debunks some of the most common myths floating online. For instance, there's no scientific evidence to support that beer can cure acne. Its alcohol content can actually irritate sensitive skin. Similarly, while beer has nutrients, no reliable data is proving it can stimulate hair growth. Any hydration benefits are minimal and often counteracted by the skin-drying effects of alcohol. There are risks In fact, the risks may outweigh the rewards for many. Dr Bhardwaj warns, 'Regular use of beer-based beauty remedies can lead to side effects, especially for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The alcohol in beer can be drying and irritating, leading to redness or an exacerbation of conditions like rosacea and eczema,' she says. 'It can also disturb the skin's pH balance, disrupting its barrier and making it more vulnerable to breakouts, oiliness, and infections.' She adds. Stick to it once in a while Dr Kiran Sethi, another dermatologist, offers a more measured take. 'Beer has anecdotal evidence but no scientific backing. That said, it contains proteins, amino acids, sugars, B vitamins, and has a low pH, which can theoretically improve shine and strength,' she says. She recommends using beer sparingly, perhaps once every few weeks as a rinse after shampoo, left on for a few minutes before washing off. 'I would only use it for dull hair and a lack of shine. I wouldn't use it for anything else.' She says. When it comes to skincare, Dr Sethi again stresses the lack of scientific support. 'The most important benefit it may have is from yeast, or saccharomyces (a sugar fungus). It's a good bacteria that might soothe inflammation. But given that it's alcohol, it is likely to cause dryness and redness, so I am not a fan.' She shares. While the idea of beer as a beauty booster sounds fun and buzzy, it's not exactly the skin or hair miracle it's made out to be. 'Before swapping your conditioner for a lager or dabbing beer on a breakout, it might be wise to stick to science-backed products or, at the very least, proceed with caution and a patch test.' Dr Deepali concludes. (Written by: Richa Singh)