Happiness in life is closely related to regularity in your bowel movements, no? I know this is an unappetizing topic but it’s something that every living thing does.

Here are a few tips for keeping things moving (and some extra info on fiber):

1. Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water throughout the day is beneficial in many ways, including keeping your stool soft.

2. Move. Regular exercise can help keep your gut muscles moving.

3. Eat smart. Some foods are more constipating than others, but there’s one nutrient that is universally good at softening stool—fiber.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate. However, it’s unique in that it’s not actually absorbed into our bodies. Instead, when we eat fiber it sits in our gut and pulls water in making stool softer.

Want to increase your fiber? Fruits and veggies are rich in fiber as are whole grains, beans and nuts.