You Don’t Exercise
You already know that regular activity is essential for good health. Research from WebMD claims that exercise can help speed up digestion and bowel habits if yours have become inefficient and sluggish.
Exercise aids bowel movements by helping food move more efficiently through the large intestine, and ensuring adequate water is absorbed during the process to help stool pass comfortably. Physical activity also helps trigger the natural contraction of muscles along the intestinal walls—promoting the passage of food elimination.

Prescription Medications
Researchers from the American College of Gastroenterology claim that certain prescription medications can mess with efficient bowel movements and lead to regular bouts of constipation.
For instance, prescription pain medications in the opioid family are consistently linked to constipation and often a listed side effect of taking these medications over the long term. If you are taking prescription pain medication for a serious pain condition (i.e., fibromyalgia) and experiencing constipation, talk to your doctor about options to help ease painful bowel movements.

Dietary Changes
Lots of things can impact our diets—for instance, vacation, holidays, or traveling regularly for work. Either way, the amount of fiber (both soluble and insoluble types) helps keep your bowel movements comfortable and regular.
Gastroenterologists from the American College of Gastroenterology, say that dietary changes (i.e., due to travel) can cause disturbances in your normally healthy bowel habits—particularly if you’re suddenly eating spicy or exotic foods your body isn’t used to.

Emily Lockhart
Emily Lockhart is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She believes that being healthy is a lifestyle choice, not a punishment or temporary fix to attain a desired fitness or body image goal. Anna helps her clients take responsibility for their own health and wellness through her classes and articles on ActiveBeat.