15 Money Tips To Make You Rich In 2015

To make 2015 your most lucrative year yet, you may have to do some things differently than what you've done in the past.

Here are 15 action items that can put you ahead regardless of what happens with the economy in the coming year and beyond:

1. Become your own CFO.

You can't fix what you don't know, so the first step is becoming completely aware of your finances and where your money is going.

As soon as you start to understand your current situation in detail, you will be able to identify leaks and simple solutions that will help get you on your way. 

Nobody cares more about your finances than you do (not even a financial adviser), so it is on you to take control of your financial future and direct it to where you want to go.

2. Go on a diet.

I'm not talking about what you eat. Identify one expense that isn't helping you achieve your goals, and cut it out for 30 days.

A simple expense to choose is cable television. The average American watches more than five hours of TV every day. That is thousands of dollars and thousands of hours often wasted each year!

Try a TV (or other guilty pleasure) diet for 30 days, and use that time and money on something more beneficial. I'm sure you'll survive without it just fine. 

3. Be selfish.

When you get on an airplane, what do they tell you during the safety instructions? "Put your own mask on first, and then help the person beside you."

It should be the same way with our time and our finances. Be selfish and take care of yourself first, and then you can have more flexibility to take care of others. The problem is that so many of us put others first and then aren't able to help ourselves. 

4. Be selfless.

Although you want to be selfish with your time and money at first, you also want to be selfless with your attitude. The wealthiest entrepreneurs I know give, give, give, and focus on helping others. By doing so, more money shows up in return.

Focus on impact and income will result.

5. Improve your credit score.

Credit is boring and I hate to talk about it, but it does make a difference. Think about it: Most of life's biggest expenses are purchased on credit. It's important to start to take care of it now because there is going to be a situation in the future where you'll wish you had.

The way to improve your credit score again starts with awareness. Get your free report each year from AnnualCreditReport.com and find out if there are any items that are directly hurting your score (which you can get for free at Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, or Credit.com). Address those now and you'll save yourself many thousands in the future.

6. Define what true wealth means for you.

In the dictionary, wealth is defined as "a large amount of money and possessions." However, when you ask someone who is truly wealthy, you get a completely different answer. 

As I show in "Make Money, Live Wealthy," the 75 entrepreneurs I interviewed most often shared words like freedom, purpose, family, health, experiences and other things that mean much more than just money.

Money is an important tool that makes all of these other things much easier, but it shouldn't necessarily be the goal in and of itself. Realize this and you will ultimately create your dream life much sooner. 

7. Automate your money.

The key with your finances is to make it as easy as possible on yourself. The best way to do this is to automate your finances as much as possible. What this means is that as soon as money comes in, it is dispersed to your other accounts automatically. 

For instance, you can set up your finances so that money is taken straight from your paycheck into a retirement investment account, or from your checking account to pay off fixed bills like your internet and cable. The less you can worry about moving your money around and the more you can focus on optimizing it, the better off you'll be.

The key reason why this works is not only to free up time, but it helps prevent us from wasting money. If we see extra money in our account, we'll find a way to spend it and then won't be left with much if any money to invest in ourselves and our future. Automation helps keep our priorities in line and takes the emotions out of it.

8. Add another income stream.

One thing that I learned over and over again from the wealthy this year is that they never rely on one income stream. They have numerous sources, which protect them from changes in the economy and also add up to the greatest numbers. 

If you want to make 2015 your most lucrative year yet, your best bet is likely to add another source of income.

9. Focus on passive and residual income.

There is only so much time in the day, so it's hard to build wealth quickly when you're trading your time for money. Instead, the wealthy focus on building income streams where they can get paid over and over again for their work by putting their business or money to work for them. 

Examples of this include the investing, owning real estate, running an online business, and writing a book. If you're going to do the work, you might as well get paid over and over again for your efforts. Work hard, but also work smart, and you'll much sooner find the freedom you dream of.

10. Get a library card.

The wealthiest and smartest people in the world have something in common: They're avid readers. 

For very cheap or even free, you can get access to the most brilliant and inspiring people of all-time. Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make, and by reading, you are doing exactly that.

Whether it be audio or in print, books have helped change my life and bank account and can do the same for you. 

11. Make your investments boring.

Back in 2010 when I started investing heavily, it was exciting. I had multiple monitors continually streaming charts, CNBC, and countless stock prices. This is what I believed that successful investing looked and felt like.

The thing was, I wasn't making any money.

Finally, I started to learn what works and began to take the emotions out of it. When I did, the excitement dropped dramatically (along with my stress) while my results started to shoot upwards. 

"Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas." 
– Paul Samuelson

12. Track your progress.

It doesn't matter how much money you make. It doesn't even matter how much you spend. What does matter is how much you keep. 

Every month, track your net worth (I use Mint.com to do this). This makes you think about the entire picture from income to expenses to investments to taxes. With this focus, you can ultimately make the greatest impact on your finances. 

13. Cut out 10%.

Even the most frugal people can find 10% of their expenses to cut. If you then take that 10% and invest it in yourself and in your future via training, paying off debt, or putting it towards vehicles that make you money like investing or starting a business, you'll be much better off. 

Try it. Go through your expenses line by line and see what you can cancel or reduce. I do this practice at least twice per year to keep things in line, and I find hundreds in savings each time. 

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14. Hang out with rich people.

Your network is your net worth. Seriously.

As Jim Rohn said, "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with." It doesn't matter if we're talking about happiness, health, confidence or your income, the people you hang out with are strongly reflected in your own life.

So, if you have one thing on your 2015 to-do list, it should be to raise the quality of your peer group. This will have a domino effect on every other area of your life.

15. Reduce your goals.

Most people don't even create goals, but those that do often go to the extreme and create too many goals. The ultra-successful, however, are great at simplifying their mission and creating a single challenge in front of them at any given time. 

As Gary Keller talks about in the great book, "The ONE Thing," the way to get more is to focus on less. Less distractions, less stress, and fewer goals lead to more income and a better lifestyle.

That's it; 15 small steps that can add up to enormous changes. Remember, new and better actions will lead to new and better results.

Cheers to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015.

Money-saving secrets of the rich and frugal

How the wealthy stay that way

You've heard the expression, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." The same approach could be applied to wealth: You have to "think like a millionaire" if you aspire to be one.

"Preservation is important to (the wealthy)," says Susan Bradley, CFP professional and founder of the Sudden Money Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Controlling what you spend is part of wealth preservation, she adds.

"You can't control interest rates and the stock market, but you can control a lot of the discretionary part of your lifestyle."

That can mean pinching a few pennies to maintain prosperity. Read on to learn four saving strategies that the rich rely on.

The wealthy don't buy on impulse

In an unforgettable scene from a TV documentary on Michael Jackson, the late King of Pop pointed out dozens of his pricey purchases at an upscale emporium in Las Vegas.

When people with a lot of money go shopping, they usually go on shopping sprees, right? Hardly, says Bradley.

"Wealthy people are not reactionary," she says. "They have a tendency to be a little more thoughtful."

One of the greatest fears of high net worth individuals is becoming poor -- especially if they have previously struggled with finances, explains Jason Flurry, president of Legacy Partners Financial Group in Woodstock, Georgia. So, they tend to take their time with purchases.

"I think that delayed response helps them avoid some of the impulses that would result in poor choices otherwise," he says. "Opportunities are more easily made up than losses."

The wealthy love bargains

This may surprise you: Like most of us, wealthy people are all about getting the most bang for their buck.

"There's just sort of a worry that they're going to overpay for things," Flurry says.

Among those with annual household incomes of $75,000 or more, 74 percent use coupons at least some of the time when shopping online, according to a 2013 survey by PromotionalCodes.com. 

The consumer savings website also found that a third of people in that group always or often use coupons during online shopping.

The wealthy can exploit other opportunities for saving money because they have more of it to stretch, says Bradley. A rich person can, for example, take greater advantage of a liquidation sale at a high-end clothing store.

"Just because (a store) is going out of business doesn't mean that I have any more money to spend on clothes that month," she says, "but if you're wealthy you can take advantage of that."

Simple Diet and Fitness Tips

Relieve those achy muscles

After a grueling workout, there's a good chance you're going to be feeling it (we're talking sore thighs, tight calves). Relieve post-fitness aches by submerging your lower body in a cold bath (50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit; you may have to throw some ice cubes in to get it cold enough) for 10 to 15 minutes. "Many top athletes use this trick to help reduce soreness after training sessions," says Andrew Kastor. And advice we love: "An athlete training for an important race should consider getting one to two massages per month to help aid in training recovery," adds Kastor. Now that's speaking our language!

Pick your perfect tunes

Running with music is a great way to get in a groove (just make sure it's not blasting too loudly, or you won't hear those cars!). To pick the ultimate iPod playlist, think about what gets you going. "I know several elite athletes that listen to what we'd consider 'relaxing' music, such as symphony music, while they do a hard workout," says Andrew Kastor. So don't feel like you have to download Lady Gaga because her tunes are supposed to pump you up—go with any music that you find uplifting.

Simple Diet and Fitness Tips

Find the best fitness friend

A workout buddy is hugely helpful for keeping motivated, but it's important to find someone who will inspire—not discourage. So make a list of all your exercise-loving friends, then see who fits this criteria, says Andrew Kastor, an ASICS running coach: Can your pal meet to exercise on a regular basis? Is she supportive (not disparaging) of your goals? And last, will your bud be able to keep up with you or even push your limits in key workouts? If you've got someone that fits all three, make that phone call.

Stock up on these

While there are heaps of good-for-you foods out there, some key ingredients make it a lot easier to meet your weight-loss goals. Next grocery store run, be sure to place Newgent's top three diet-friendly items in your cart: balsamic vinegar (it adds a pop of low-cal flavor to veggies and salads), in-shell nuts (their protein and fiber keep you satiated), and fat-free plain yogurt (a creamy, comforting source of protein). "Plus, Greek yogurt also works wonders as a natural low-calorie base for dressings and dips—or as a tangier alternative to sour cream," says Newgent. Talk about a multitasker!

Top Thirty Quick and Easy Health Tips

Food and Nutrition

 Along with fresh veggies and fruits, eat slim meats (if you’re not vegetarian), nuts, seeds (sprouts) and salads. 

 Opt for fresh, seasonal and local produce over exotic foodstuff imported over ridiculous distances. 

 Make sure you get a balanced diet, as often as possible. 



 Drink water – you need to stay hydrated. Not only is it good for your internal organs, it also keeps your skin healthy and lessens acne. 



 To determine your water requirement, divide your weight (in pounds) by two. This gives the daily ounce-recommendation. 

 Cut down on caffeine and caffeinated and aerated beverages. 

 Limit alcohol intake. Tobacco and drugs should be an absolute No. 



 Steer clear of sugar, stimulants and processed food. 

 Maintain a healthy weight. 



Exercise

 Exercise at least four days a week for 20 to 30 minutes each day. If it’s all not possible at a go, break your workouts into smaller sessions. 



 Try to get as much physical activity as you can. Skip the elevator and take the stairs, walk to the supermarket instead of hunting for parking space etc. 



 Wake up early to practice simple meditation. It harmonizes body, mind and soul. 



 Doing household chores also counts as activity. 

 Pets can be a great source for your exercise. Especially a dog. Walking dogs, caring for them involves good amounts of physical activity. 



 If exercising alone bores you out, hook up with a partner or friend who is committed to exercise. The fun factor will also let you stay committed. 

 Exercise also works as an outlet for pent up stress. So keep exercising, especially when you’ve got work bearing down on you. 

General Health

Get adequate rest daily. Don’t deprive yourself of sleep for extended periods of time. 



 If you’re on medication for an illness, ensure that you follow the course all the way through. 

 Skin, teeth, hair, nails are all indicators of general health. Loss of hair or lack of lustre may mean poor nutrition. 

 Make friends with your family physician. Get regular check-ups done. 



 Watch out for the signs of major illnesses, especially cancer, heart disease etc. Early detection is the key. 

 When it comes to healthy living, even little things count. Like eye health. Make sure you rest them well. They’ll serve you a long time. 

 Take care of your teeth. Dental health has been linked, among other things, to premature heart disease. 



 Try to get all your nutrition from the food you eat. If you aren’t getting it though, multivitamins and nutritional supplements are a good option. 

 Get your vitamin D from the sun. But also stay UV-protected. 

Health and Happiness

 Slow and deep breathing is a good counter to stressful situations. Practice it.



 Surround yourself with positive energy and a strong social circle. Good vibes translates into good moods. 

 Engage in social work. Do things for the less-privileged. 

 Work on your looks, but don’t get obsessed. Pamper yourself occasionally. 

 Believe in your abilities. Work on your shortcomings. Life is a continuous self-help program.

Dairy products make probiotics more effective

   

  

    

The success of probiotics for boosting human health may depend partly upon the food, beverages, or other material carrying the probiotics, a study shows.

Dairy products are the most popular food matrices for probiotic strains.

"Our results say that the manner in which a probiotic is delivered -- whether in food or supplement form -- could influence how effective that probiotic is in delivering the desired health benefits," said author Maria Marco, associate professor in the department of food science and technology, University of California at Davis.

The researchers probed the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus casei BL23 in a mouse model of colitis, or inflammation of the colon.

The mice that ingested the probiotic in milk had reduced symptoms compared to those that were fed milk without the probiotic, and the ones that received the probiotic within a non-food supplement, says the study outlined in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

"The benefits of the probiotic involve a direct effect of L. casei, or of a metabolic product of these bacteria upon the intestinal epithelium, rather than a global alteration of the indigenous intestinal microbiota," Marco said.

"Strains of L. casei are commonly added to dairy products as probiotics and, while strain BL23 is not commercially available, it is genetically similar to commercial strains and has also been studied for its capacity to prevent or reduce intestinal inflammation."

How to Prevent And Get Rid of Bloating (3 & 5 are suggested)

Bloating or abdominal bloating is a condition where the mid-section of your body appears full, even though you might not have excess fat deposited there. In fact, not only does the belly appear visibly swollen, but you will also feel the fullness too. You will feel uncomfortable and tight there. Sometimes, the area could pain a bit. Bloating makes the jeans appear slightly tighter. It puffs up the stomach with gas and makes you feel very uncomfortable.

Bloating is actually quite a common condition. Across the world anywhere between 10% and 30% adults from suffer from bloating at different times in their lives. It could happen to anybody. It might seem to go away for a while, but will surely return if you will leave it untreated.

Doctors generally suggest that the problem has to be treated urgently as bloaters lead to more sick leaves. It can seriously interfere with a person’s ability to work. It can also come in the way of your recreational or social activities. Bloating can indeed have a negative impact on the quality of your life.

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What Causes Bloating?

Here are some of the most common causes of bloating,

• Excessive gas in the intestine.
• Swallowing too much air.
• Constipation.
• Intolerance to some foods such as dairy products.
• Consuming food too quickly.
• Overeating.
• Increased sensitivity to what’s happening in your digestive tract.
• Sudden weight gain.
• Increased curvature in the spine’s lumbar lordosis region that reduces the gas holding ability of your abdomen.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
• Eating too much of fatty foods have also been blamed, as this can delay stomach emptying. You will thus feel full.
• Having too many carbonated beverages.
• Menstruation.
• Anxiety or stress.
• Smoking.
• A reaction to taking a medicine, like oral diabetes pills.
• Sometimes antibiotics are known to cause bloating.

Abdominal bloating could also be a symptom of a serious medical condition.

• Some kind of insufficiency in the pancreas because of which it is not able to make digestive enzymes adequately. This is disturbing the digestion process and thus causing bloating.
• Fluid deposition inside the abdominal cavity because of kidney problem or liver disease.
• Structural or anatomical abnormality inside your gastrointestinal tract.
• A gastrointestinal disease or infection.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Ascites.
• Celiac disease.
• Dumping syndrome.
• A tumor.
• Heartburn – You can have heartburn by taking spicy foods in the night, and even by eating too much food just before bed-time. So limit your food intake. Also, keep it simple. And don’t go to bed immediately after your meal. Walk for 30 minutes before hitting the bed. If you still have heartburn, then keep a pillow behind your back to keep yourself raised. This should help.

Sometimes, the bloating is just a by-product or symptom of a serious health crisis, like a tumor, cancer, celiac disease or something else. In such a case, you have to first treat the illness naturally. It will be almost impossible to get rid of the bloating without treating the condition first. And anyway, treating such medical conditions should always be your priority. They are much more serious in nature, and can even be life threatening.

It’s good to remember that the degree or severity of bloating is always different for different people. Also, do keep in mind that a factor that caused bloating to your friend might have zero effect on you. Of course, it could be the other way round as well. But whatever it is, don’t ignore bloating if you have it. Always remember, this could be a sign of some serious medical condition. So why take the chance? Try to detect the symptoms early, and get yourself properly diagnosed.

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Symptoms of Bloating

Sometimes the symptoms of bloating are precise, but at other times they could be vague.

Ascites

This is a condition in which there is abnormal fluid buildup inside the pelvis or abdomen. This can cause your waistline to go up rapidly. In fact, in extreme cases, there is so much bloating that you could look several months pregnant. Usually, it is a liver disease that causes Ascites. However in 10% of reported cases, it is from cancer.

Sudden weight loss

– Have you lost some weight suddenly without any apparent reason? This could be a symptom of bloating. Watch out if the weight loss is about 10% of your overall body weight or more. This weight loss could be from a tumor that is pressing down on your intestines, thus making you feel full. It could also be from a secretion by the tumor.

Severe pain in the abdomen

A sudden severe pain in your mid-section could be a symptom, particularly if you have the feeling of nausea with it. This could be from an obstruction in your bowel, as a scarred tissue is pressing the bowel. You need to seek immediate medical attention. Don’t delay. The pain you feel could come in waves.

Fever

A fever, even without the signs of tightness or fullness in the abdomen might indicate that you are in the early stages of bloating. This could be from an inflammation or infection.

There can be some other symptoms too, such as blood in the stool or extremely dark stool, diarrhea, excessive vaginal bleeding, bleeding from the vagina after menopause, and heartburn.

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The Best Ways to Prevent Bloating

You have to do three things to prevent bloating.
A) Eat the right foods.
B) Eat food in the right way.
C) Do away with the bloating habits

A. Eating the Right Foods

1. Limit your intake of fatty and processed foods – We know that such foods are bad for health anyway. And besides, the digestion system requires more time to digest high-sugar and high-fat foods. This will make you feel full.
2. Avoid frozen and sugar-free foods – There are a lot of preservatives in frozen foods. There is usually a lot of salt too, and they both can give you abdominal bloating. Actually, you have to stay away from sugar-free foods as well, as their sugar alcohol content can grow bacteria in your intestine. This will give you gas, and eventually bloating.
3. Eat a lot of fibers – Fiber is good for health. Fill your diet with a lot of fibers, drink plenty of fluids, and relieve yourself regularly. You should do just fine. But remember to get your fiber from natural sources, like apples, pears, raspberries, broccoli, peas, barley, bran, and spaghetti. They are all good. However having said this, fiber may not be the right solution for you if you have constipation, as this might worsen your bloating.
4. Avoid foods that cause gas – Try to identify the foods that creates gas issues for you. As a general guideline, the following foods lead to gas buildup in most people – cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beans and such others. But remember, they are still good for health, so don’t remove these foods altogether from your diet plan. Just take them with moderation. Also, reduce your consumption of carbohydrates. When muscles in the body store glycogen, which is a type of carbohydrate, it will also store water in one to three ratios, glycogen to water. So by cutting the consumption of carbohydrates, you will be reducing water storage in your body.
5. Select your beverages carefully – Of course, water is always good for you. But surely, you want more. You can drink tea, even better if it is green tea. Tea will reduce your appetite, and it also comes with an ant-bloating agent. Flavored drinks are yummy and can be healthy if you make a juice from a fruit. But stay away from soda. The bubbles stay in your stomach and cause gas within the intestines. Plus, acidic drinks irritate the gastrointestinal tract, making it swell. This makes you feel bloated. Avoid drinks made from sugar substitutes like xylitol and mannitol.
6. Cook vegetables always before eating – Green vegetables are good for health, but make sure that you eat after cooking. You might face problems in digesting raw vegetables. Also, the process of cooking will remove some of the enzymes and fibers that can upset your stomach and cause bloating. Steam your vegetables for best results. You will lose very few nutrients this way.
7. Avoid hot spices – Spices like chili powder and black pepper can release more stomach acid. Vinegar and hot sauces achieve much the same result. Too much of acid secretion will irritate your stomach, worsening your bloating.
8. Limit the intake of salt – Salt causes bloating. If you have a lot of salt in your body, then it will cling to the water. The human body requires just 200 mg sodium in a day. But there is 2,300 mg of this in 1 teaspoon. So do you see how much more we take? And of course, too much salt in the diet can be hard for your blood vessels and heart, and that can be scary.
9. Take anti-bloating foods –Tomatoes, nuts, mangoes, spinach, bananas, cantaloupe, and asparagus are all good. There is potassium in them, a mineral with a lot of asparagines, which is a natural diuretic. They can help you beat bloating. Potassium is going to regulate the fluid content in your body. It balances your level of sodium. You can eat parsley and peppermint – both these herbs can treat bloating very efficiently.
10. Gain from probiotics – These is a kind of good bacteria, which is used for regulating our digestive system. And naturally, you are less likely to have bloating if your digestive tract is well regulated. Bacterial imbalance within the intestine is a cause of bloating. Try yogurt. It is the most readily available probiotics. There are also some health supplements.

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B. Eating Food in the Right Way

Bloating happens in the abdomen region, and naturally eating has a lot to do with it. So it is important to eat the right foods to reduce the risks of bloating. No worries if you have bloating already, because you can get rid of it by selecting the right foods. But remember, just the food selection might not be enough. You have to eat your food in the right way as well.

1. Take your time – Eat slowly always. Take your time. We need to chew our food well before swallowing as this helps in proper digestion. Your body is able to use the nutrients better. However sadly, many of us are simply gulping down our meals now as there is simply not enough time. A lot of people even have their foods on the go. A rush meal is certainly a bad habit. You can end up swallowing air if you take food too quickly, and this air can then get trapped within you, causing bloating. Plus, the body’s satiety hormones simply don’t have enough time to kick-in unless you are sitting down for your food. You might end up over-eating.
2. Eat often, but little each time – Smaller quantities of food is going to be kinder to your tummy. As a bonus, this is also going to be good for your waistline. But you need to eat more often. Get 4-5 small meals in a day instead of three large ones. You won’t feel hungry. Your metabolism too won’t be pressurized to go on an overload suddenly if you have a large meal. After all, you are supposed to feel good after eating, not exhausted. 4-5 small meals are going to be just perfect. Your body will function smoothly.
3. Avoid eating late in the night – Sometimes we keep snacking late into the night while reading a book or seeing a movie. Too much of this could be bad news for you. Particularly restrict your carbohydrates consumption. If you take a lot of food late in the night, then you will feel puffy in the morning. That’s because, your body will retain water throughout the night, making you feel like a sponge in the morning. Take a light dinner. If you have to take a big meal, then make it the lunch. That way, you will have a lot of time to work it off from the system.
4. Stop using that straw – In fact, you should stop using anything that takes air inside your body. You will have too much air inside you if you use things like the straw. Your body must do something with this – it turns the air into gas and bloating.

[Don't Miss: 12 Homemade Quick Remedies to Get Rid of Stomach Gas]

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C. Doing Away With Bloating Habits

1. Are you allergic to any food – Food allergies can cause bloating, and so you need to watch out for anything that might make you feel that tightness in the midsection. Many people are allergic to dairy products. Others cannot tolerate wheat, particularly gluten. Some individuals are allergic to eggs, corn, soy, nuts, and legumes. Most of them don’t realize that it’s their food allergy that is causing the bloating. Then there are those who self-diagnose, and end up doing this wrongly. As a result, they remove several healthy foods from their diets. It’s best to approach a doctor for a confirmation. Try dairy foods with low lactose content. Go for yogurt and aged cheese to see whether they are working for you.
2. Quit smoking – Smoking is a really bad habit. It kills you slowly over time. Smoking is known to cause many health issues like atherosclerosis, lung cancer, breathing problems, and even heart ailments. It will leak you money too. Do you need any more reasons? So stop smoking if you are currently into it. When you smoke, a lot of air gets inside your system, even though you are exhaling out. And this can cause bloating.
3. Beat the stress – Most of us have too much stress in our lives now, and some of this is almost inevitable, given the pressures of the modern lifestyle. Try to relax as much as you can, as anxiety and stress can cause bloating, besides causing other health conditions as well. When you are stressed, the cortisol hormone increases your cravings for sugars and fats. Both yoga and meditation can help here, as they can lower the cortisol level. Just 15 minutes in a day – that’s all you have to give. Or you can try a simple breathing exercise. That will also cut your stress. Go on a small vacation if you can. You will have a nice break and come back refreshed.
4. Do some workouts – We all realize that exercise is good for us, but still, many choose to lead a sedentary and unhealthy life. Change this habit. Go to the gym and exercise. You can also do some brisk walking, running, jogging, cycling or swimming. All these activities are sure to help. Biking for just 30 minutes a day will give your entire body a great workout. That doesn’t take too long? Does it! The fact is that, even moderate exercise will reduce your bloating substantially, as it will regulate the passage of air and food inside your digestive system. You will lose calories and stay lean and trim. Plus, you will also sleep better at night.

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5 Home Remedies to get rid of Bloating

1. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint works very well in soothing the stomach and easing pains from gas. There is menthol in peppermint essential oil. This menthol has antispasmodic effect on the muscles of your digestive track. Take a cup after dinner. You will prevent bloating. You will also sleep better.

Get This

• Herbal peppermint tea – 1 bag.
• Freshly boiled water – 1 cup.

Do This

• Boil the water first.
• Now pour this boiled water over the tea bag in a mug.
• Cover the mug and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the cover and bring out the tea bag.
• Squeeze the bag to bring out your peppermint tea.

2. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is also an excellent home remedy for bloating. This herbal tea has both anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. It will give relief to your stomach. It will also heal your heartburn, which again is a prime cause of bloating. Chamomile tea is extremely popular in Germany. In fact, it is so good that in Germany they call it “alles zutraut”, which means “capable of doing anything”. You can drink this tea 2 to 3 times in a day between meals. Don’t add milk.

Get This

• Chamomile tea – 1 bag.
• Boiled water – 1 cup.
• Lemon juice – 2 to 3 drops.
• Honey – 1 tablespoon.

Do This

• Boil the water
• Pour the boiled water gently over the tea bag into a mug.
• Cover the mug and let it stay for 10-15 minutes.
• Now squeeze the bag to bring out the tea.
• Add the honey or lemon juice. There is no need to add both.

3. Ginger

Ginger can also help you reduce bloating and gas. There are several active ingredients here, such as shogaols and gingerols that bring down intestinal inflammation. These ingredients are going to soothe the muscles of your intestine as well.

Get This

• Ginger – Five to six thin slices.
• Freshly boiled water – 1 cup.
• Lemon juice – 2 to 3 drops.
• Honey – 1 tablespoon.

Do This

• Keep the thin ginger slices in a cup.
• Pour boiling water into the cup.
• Cover your cup and let it stay for 10 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice and honey.
• Stir well.

4. Pumpkin

Improper food digestion can cause gas buildup and bloating. Foods that have a lot of fibers like beans for instance, can cause flatulence. Fiber passes through our stomach in bulk when we are unable to digest it properly. Food passes to the large intestine when we are unable to break it in the small intestine. The body’s natural bacteria will then feed on it in the large intestine, and that’s where the gas is formed. Pumpkin is good for you, as it can cut the amount of gas produced.

Get This

• Pumpkin – 1 cup.

Do This

• You can either steam or bake your pumpkin.
• Cut into small pieces.
• Take the pumpkin with your meals. You may also have it as a snack between the meals.

5. Bananas

It is a well known fact that constipation can cause bloating. Bananas can reduce this constipation and provide you relief. Bananas contain a lot of potassium as well, which is a mineral that regulates the body’s fluid level and prevents bloating.

Take a banana everyday for best results, till at least you see significant improvement in your bloating. There are some wonderful recipes you can choose from. You can prepare a salad or have your daily banana in the dessert.

Bloating is not life threatening, but it’s definitely an uncomfortable feeling. It can also be embarrassing. Luckily, you can get rid of bloating with just a few simple food and lifestyle changes. That can make a huge difference.