Relocating from the coastal plains of North Carolina to the Piedmont area has brought welcomed new vistas – a topography that includes rolling hills, lakes, and ponds – and a wider variety of ethnicities.

In my early life, growing up in California, I was accustomed to hearing various languages and seeing the traditional garb of other cultures, and I missed a lot of that in Eastern North Carolina.

Since moving here, I couldn’t help noticing an interesting practice: often whole families of South Asians calmly strolling the neighborhoods after dinner.

Not walking like in getting serious exercise – but strolling – and not a cell phone in sight.

Why? What was this?

Have you ever noticed what I call ‘universal knowledge,’ whereby ancient traditions from around the globe all independently come to the same conclusion?

Walking after meals—known as Shatapavali in Sanskrit, meaning “walking 100 steps”—is an age-old Ayurvedic recommendation for kindling Agni and aiding digestion without overexertion. Unlike intense exercise, which can divert energy away from digestion, light walking gently stimulates the digestive organs, improves circulation, and prevents stagnation.

“Walk a hundred steps after a meal and you’ll live to 99” – found in ancient Chinese tradition.

Benefits of this practice of strolling 10-15 minutes after meals are many, including:

Decreasing blood sugar by leveling out the glycemic response – to eating better than a walk before a meal or waiting an hour after a meal.

Decreased bloating, gas, and constipation, because the gentle stroll stimulates the gastrointestinal system through the muscle movement.

Increasing circulation which helps everything work better.

Boosting mood by stimulating the release of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.

Sign me up!

I loved this link because of its no holds barred commentary – including the benefits of the evening “fart walk”!

The upshot is this post-meal 10-20 minute stroll is like a gentle body massage that stimulates our GI to do its thing – versus us plopping down on the sofa to vegetate, groan from fullness, and belch – only to grab another Tums to make it all go away.

The very act of being upright helps things move along – but rather than standing at the sink doing the dishes and cleaning for up to an hour – take that massaging walk within 10-15 minutes after the meal, because it makes a difference.

Campuses for employment of any kind are increasingly offering areas for employees to walk. It’s not just a way to get steps in. People taking a short stroll around the building are increasing their ability to be alert, productive, and more comfortable for their next round of work after a meal.

We’re not working up a sweat here; we’re strolling 10-20 minutes for digestive health!

It’s a walk in the park!

In health –

Deidre