We all know that exercise is good for your heart, your waistline, and your mood – but did you know it also helps you do your business in the loo? Yes, that’s right, moving your body can help you move your bowels. If you’ve ever noticed that a brisk walk makes you suddenly “need to nip off”, you’ve experienced the magic of exercise and digestion.

 Motion Creates Motion

When you exercise, your muscles spring into action – and that includes the muscles of your intestines. A bit of jogging, cycling, or even a gentle yoga flow helps stimulate peristalsis, the fancy word for those wave-like contractions that push food along your gut. In simple terms: the more you move, the more your insides wiggle too, making it easier to stay regular.

Walking Wonders

Don’t fancy sprinting like Mo Farah? No worries. Even a 20–30 minute stroll can be enough to get things ticking over. Walking is especially handy after meals, giving your digestive system a helping hand to process what you’ve just eaten. Think of it as a post-roast leg stretch that doubles as loo-prep.

Yoga for Your Tummy

Yoga poses like twists and gentle bends aren’t just good for stress – they also massage your digestive tract. Moves such as “wind-relieving pose” (yes, it’s actually called that) can do exactly what it says on the tin. Perfect for days when you’re feeling a little, ahem, bunged up.

Exercise + Hydration = Happy Gut

Let’s not forget – sweating it out means you need to top up your fluids. And when it comes to keeping stools soft and easy to pass, water is your best mate. Pairing exercise with proper hydration is like giving your digestive system a one-two punch against constipation.

A Side Note: Stress Less

Exercise also helps reduce stress, which is sneaky culprit number one when it comes to constipation. By lowering tension, your gut relaxes and functions more smoothly – meaning fewer days stuck waiting for something to happen.

The Cheeky Conclusion

You don’t need to run a marathon or join a bootcamp to keep things moving. A brisk daily walk, a cycle round the park, or some gentle yoga can all help your body do its natural business with ease.

So next time you’re feeling a bit “stuck”, lace up your trainers, head out for a stroll, and let nature take its course. After all, exercise isn’t just about six-packs – sometimes it’s about successful pit stops!