How would you like to look and feel more energized, have better skin, improved digestion and more? The secret is in detoxification, but the good news is that you don’t have to drink juices all day or take a bunch of pills. In fact, detoxification can be a simple and painless experience by incorporating just a few techniques!
First, let’s cover the benefits of daily detoxification:
- keeps your body looking and feeling energized
- you will notice and feel more mental clarity
- your skin will be radiant and glowing
- you will notice super healthy digestion and regularity and even weight loss!
Most importantly, you reduce the likelihood that you’ll develop bigger problems because of your toxicity level. Your body is one big detox machine and here are some quick tips for ways to help detox your body more often:
- Water, water, water – Drinking a bunch of water first thing in the morning helps the body rehydrate, kick starts metabolism and helps the body’s natural morning cleansing processes.
- Eat detoxifying foods– The liver and kidneys serve as the body’s filtration system and thus are integral to overall health and cleansing. Incorporate the following to aid in continual kidney and liver cleansing: parsley, cilantro, dandelion root, licorice root, cayenne, turmeric, red pepper, garlic, lemon, lime, grapefruit, sea vegetables (seaweed salad, nori, dulse), artichokes, beets, cruciferous vegetables, wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella and milk thistle.
- Get 20 minutes of sunlight everyday – Vitamin D3 does a fantastic job in killing off bad bacteria, just 20 minutes of sunshine a day will produce antimicrobials which kill off bad bacteria, funguses, viruses, parasites throughout your body while also ridding your body of the waste left behind by these nasty critters.
- Lose weight – Harmful substances such as pesticides are stored in your body fat through a process called bioaccumulation. By losing body fat you release these substances into your bloodstream so that they can be neutralized by circulating nutrients and antioxidants. These substances are then filtered out of the bloodstream by your organs and excreted through waste material.
- Oil pulling – A practice taken from Ayurvedic medicine that involves swishing, or pulling, unrefined oil in your mouth for several minutes. It literally “pulls” toxins and bacteria from your mouth.
- Get enough sleep – When we sleep, the brains cells are cleared of harmful toxins. During sleep, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain increases dramatically, washing away harmful waste proteins that build up between brain cells during waking hours.
- Limit cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine – We all know why!
- Eat organic – The body is able to break down naturally formed foods such as organic food more easily than non-organic food that can contain chemicals. Food containing chemicals can cause inflammation in the gut that can lead to infection. Organic products tend to contain better quality vitamins and minerals that are absorbed by the body, helping to fight off disease.
- Yoga – Daily movement encourages you to create heat in your body and sweat which is a highly effective way of eliminating toxic build up.
- The hot-cold shower – While in the shower, steam it up for a few minutes, then turn the temperature a bit colder for a few seconds and alternate. Alternating between hot and cold helps circulation and helps to increase the rate of detoxification. Trust me, this will wake you up!
- Vitamin C – We don’t naturally produce vitamin C so it’s important we consume it through the foods we eat or the supplements we take. Vitamin C is an important primary antioxidant that helps to remove toxins.
- Meditate – As we detox the body, we should also remember to detox the mind. Meditation allows us to calm our busy thoughts, if only for a few minutes. We can then return to our lives with a more calm, less stressed frame of mind.
- Mini-fast – Give your digestive system a break. Intermittent fasting is gaining momentum in the detox and weight loss arena!
- Cut back drastically on refined sugars and saturated fats – A diet high in sugar and fat makes toxins stay in the bloodstream longer.
- Drink herbal teas – Herbal teas contain powerful herbs and antioxidants that enhance the detox and cleansing process. Look for teas that contain milk thistle, burdock, dandelion and artichoke.
- Mindful breathing – Remind yourself to take long deep breaths. This allows oxygen to circulate completely through your entire system.
- Watch what you say and think – Practice being more compassionate and positive both when it comes to communicating with others and paying attention to the thoughts associated with these interactions. Thoughts are very, very, very powerful!
- Take an Epsom salt bath – Best before bed. Not only will magnesium-rich Epsom salts help you sleep, they also help draw toxins out of the body. Use 2 or 3 cups of Epsom salts and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. I love lavender which promotes relaxation.
- Eat fermented foods – They are a rich source of probiotics and are also some of the best chelators and detox agents available meaning they can help rid your body of a wide variety of toxins, including heavy metals.
- Start your morning off with hot water and the juice of half a fresh lemon (try with a pinch of cayenne) – This gets your digestive juices flowing and is very cleansing and alkalizing.
- Learn to properly manage your stress – When you feel stress, the body is holding onto harmful toxins and therefore is slowed down. When you learn to manage stress properly, you are taking a good measure at naturally cleansing the body, mind and soul!
- Drink fresh cold-pressed juice – Do it on an empty stomach, which allows your body to absorb the nutrients more quickly. My go-to detox elixir: lemon, kale, spinach, spirulina, and ginger – the more greens, the better! Peoples Deli makes the delicious PharmFresh line of organic, cold-pressed juices. Click here for a list of Deli locations and here for our full menu!
- Drink Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – Along with a host of other benefits, ACV alkalizes the body and helps detox the liver. Buy the raw, unfiltered and organic variety. I live for and love Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar!
- Nasal irrigation – Nasal irrigation is a powerful cleansing tool since it moves toxins from the sinuses and nasal cavity.
- Sweat – Sweating is crucial for expelling/liberating toxins. Use an infrared sauna, which assists in removing heavy metal toxins stored in fat tissues and also enjoy a eucalyptus steam. Click here for information on our infrared sauna at Peoples Wellness Center North!
- Eliminate – Further cleanse your colon by taking daily fiber supplements, probiotics, digestive enzymes and incorporating colon cleanses such as colonics or enemas.
- Dry body brush – Before showering, dry body brush head-to-toe, using long strides toward the heart. This activates the lymphatic system, stimulates blood circulation, and enhances toxin elimination through our body’s largest organ — the skin! This is the most rejuvenating and yet relaxing way to start and end your day. I am addicted!
- Tongue scraping – Yes, it sounds funny, but this quickly cleans the tongue of accumulated bacteria and toxic debris from the night before. You will have the best breath ever!
- Drink an antioxidant loaded green drink – Green juice and green smoothies will both help to oxygenate your system, flood your cells with nutrients and nourish your organs.
- Hot towel scrub – The hot towel scrub is a simple and comforting way to cleanse on a daily or weekly basis. In the morning, after work or before bed, run a washcloth under hot water, wring it out and rub it vigorously over your body for 5-10 minutes. The friction sloughs off dead skin cells, while the heat opens pores and assists with the breakdown of fat. (I love to do this because it is so invigorating and I also wash cloth scrub my face daily. It’s like a mini exfoliating facial that brings out glowing, clear skin!)
- Emphasize positive emotions – By emphasizing things such as love, trust, compassion, forgiveness, and joy, you’re essentially increasing the importance of these emotions in your life. Think of positive thoughts and positive emotions in terms of CFU’s (colony forming units). The more positives you bring into your life, the less the toxic and negative can flourish.
- Use herbs – Garlic is a natural antibiotic that cleanses the blood and boosts the immune system. Cayenne purifies the blood, increases sweating and fluid elimination. Ginger root stimulates circulation and sweating. Parsley leaf is a diuretic that flushes the kidneys. (Avoid if breastfeeding as it is also helpful for lowering your milk supply).
- Massage – Helps remove toxins from your lymphatic system. Some essential oils can enhance detoxification and lymphatic drainage.
- Chew thoroughly – Chewing foods slowly in your mouth, rather than gulping it down, allows saliva to mix in with your food. Saliva turns food more alkaline, making it less toxic and preventing a build-up of inflammation-causing acid in the gut. It will also help you feel less gassy and bloated!)
- Live in the NOW!
by Katherine Grey Crosswell, Weight Loss & Wellness Specialist. Katherine is available for consultation at the Westlake location.