Hurried meals, skipped meals, weight-loss diets and meals eaten on the run can all contribute to — or aggravate — constipation. Try to sit down, relax and enjoy your meals in a leisurely manner. Family mealtimes are probably not the best times to talk about subjects — such as homework, who scratched the car, or the latest credit-card bill — that make family members tense and nervous.

If we want to avoid constipation, what we eat is important, too. And most important of all is to just include more fiber in our diet. Found in many fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals, fiber helps your body develop soft, bulky stools that are easy to pass. In addition to adding healthy fiber to your diet, try to avoid over-processed foods with little fiber, such as chips, pizza, ice cream, frozen dinners and instant potatoes.

If you decide to include more high-fiber foods in your diet, you may want to increase your fiber intake slowly in order to avoid bloating, gas or unnecessary stomach upset. And remember: it usually takes a few days before you will feel the positive effects of your healthy, new regime.