Detox or ‘detoxification’ has been around since humans first became civilized and is a very natural way of getting rid of harmful pollutants that may have built up in your body.
If you hear the word detox, what pops up into your mind? Starvation? Self-sacrifice? Misery? Sometimes people are scared of ‘detoxing’ because they think that it will mean going without food for the entire process and living only on water with the occasional shot of lemon juice.
But this is not the case. Detoxing is simply a way of cleaning out your body, helping to give the internal organs a little breathing space so that they can recharge and continue to operate as they should. So you don’t have to starve yourself to successfully cleanse your body of those toxins and impurities that are overtaking your system.
Although committing to a 10-day detox program once in a while is a good thing, most people find it hard and do not have the energy to put themselves through such a program. Well here is the good news, you can get rid of those pollutants in an easy and achievable way without putting yourself through all this misery.
We are all unique creatures with different needs, so just do what feels right for you. Once you’ve mastered those small tricks to cleanse your body, you may find the energy to commit to a full and more intense program.
What Are The Benefits Of detoxing?
Actually, there are tons of benefits going from having more energy and balancing mind and body to looking healthier. Your skin will have its natural glow back and look rejuvenated. Your immune system will get a great boost and you may even lose some pounds while detoxing your body.
But not only will your body take advantage, as the mind gets cleansed, stress will fade away and your self-esteem will get a great boost. All this will reflect your overall appearance. Your skin will look healthy, you’ll feel healthy and look more attractive.
10 Detoxing Tips
I’ll list some easy to achieve ways to detox your body, without having to spend a huge amount of money on luxurious treatments or expensive products. Listen to your own body! You can try to do some of those things for a couple of days in a row or even a full week or longer. However, the longer you commit to doing these things the better.
1. Detox Lemon Morning Drink
Lemons have been used as a cleansing product since ancient times, so why shouldn’t we use it as a detox morning drink? During your sleep, your liver is working hard to cleanse all the rubbish in your body. By starting your day with a glass lukewarm lemon water, you help it complete its task.
The only thing you have to do is squeeze half a lemon in a glass of warm water. Take your glass, go sit somewhere relaxing and simply enjoy your morning. Perfect beginning of an early morning meditation or yoga session.
ALSO READ: Discover The Top 10 Health Benefits Of Drinking Warm Lemon Water In The Morning
2. Apple and Carrot Detox Juice for Breakfast
This juice is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. The beta-carotene from the carrots is a good source of provitamin A and helps with damage done by free radicals. It gives your body a good start of the day while also providing an amazing detox value.
Take two apples and four carrots and make juice of them. Best to drink this at room temperature so it’s easier on the digestive system, although you can always add some ice cubes if you really want.
3. Drink More Water
Humans are big bags of water. In fact, almost 70% of your body is water. To keep your body healthy and in balance, it is important to drink enough natural mineral water during the day.
Water will help us to eliminate pollutants that are dwelling through your system. Drinking enough water each day will keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. This increases the elasticity of the skin and will make it look younger and more vibrant.
ALSO READ: Water, The Fountain of Youth
4. Daily Exercise
When your heart rate goes up your blood and lymph will flow faster helping the elimination process. So any type of exercise (yoga, fitness, brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc.) will help you to eliminate toxins faster. Exercising will also create sweat that helps your body to get rid of all sort of stuff it doesn’t need.
Only 15 minutes a day will do the trick, 30 minutes is ideal! Meditation and yoga exercises are one of the best ways to eliminate toxic wastes out of your body. They stimulate your blood and lymph system to work harder. And not only your body will feel the benefits of doing so, it works very soothing and relaxing for your mind as well!
5. Soaking in Hot Water
Not only your body will have a good cleanse, it works mind lifting as well. Soak your body once a week in a hot bath containing a handful of Epsom salts, ½ cup or 100 grams of baking soda and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. This mixture draws the toxins out of your body, lowers the stress hormones and balances pH levels.
ALSO READ: 4 Detox Bath Recipes To Cleanse Your Body
Scroll down for more detoxing tips and tricks!
6. Hot and Cold Shower
Create a sauna effect at home. Alternating between hot and cold increases blood and lymph circulation, which flushes toxins out of your body. This can easily be done at your home. When taking a shower alternate water temperatures. Start with the hottest temperature you can stand and switch to the coldest.
7. Green Juices
Green plants do contain more chlorophyll. This substance works life-giving and detoxifying to your bloodstream. Juicing is the new healthy fast food. It only takes 15 minutes or less to prepare and contains lots of vitamins and minerals as well.
Here are some great ideas for healthy and detoxifying juices to create for your whole family:
- 2 cups spinach, 2 cups cucumber, 1 head of celery, 2 inches of a teaspoon of ginger root, 1 bunch parsley, 2 apples, 1 lime, ½ lemon
- 2 stalks Celery, 1 cucumber, 1 Apple, ½ lemon, ginger, ½ green chard leaf, cilantro, 3-5 kale leaves, 1 cup spinach
- 3 carrots, 1 apple, 3-4 celery stalks, 3 cups of kale
- 1 apple, 1 grapefruit, 3-4 celery stalks, 1 head of kale, 1 cucumber, 1 lime
- 1 large celery stalk, 2 apples, 2 kiwifruits, ¼ cup parsley, 1 tbsp. ginger, ½ lime
You can also try the broccoli smoothie from my previous blog post! That is one of my healthy alternatives for a great breakfast. Or download my FREE green smoothie eBook HERE.
8. Breathing Techniques to Get Rid of Toxins
This is again a very powerful tool the activate blood and lymph circulation. 70% of your body’s waste products are eliminated via your lungs, the rest through urine, sweat or skin and feces.
It is important to do this properly to maximize the effect. Daily breathing exercises will help you to feel more relaxed and lose those toxins. Breathing must come from deep in your abdomen, your belly has to go in and out rather than using your chest to breathe.
Slowly breathe in through your nose, then hold your breath for 8 seconds and breathe slowly out again through your nose. Repeat this 10 times and this will do for your daily exercise.
ALSO READ: 5 Easy Breathing Techniques to De-stress Your Lifestyle Within A Few Minutes Each Day
9. Go Organic
Whenever possible choose organic foods to minimize the intake of toxic chemicals such as insecticides and herbicides.
Try to eat a least 5 portions of fruit and veggies a day. More is better! Avoid wheat intake and replace bread, pasta, pastries, and biscuits with wheat-free alternatives such as brown rice, quinoa, oatcakes and rye bread.
10. Eliminate Coffee and Sugars
Eat snacks but choose them wisely. Replace sugars such as chocolate and cake with healthy alternatives. Fruits, seeds, veggies, hummus are all good alternatives. Drink herbal or fruit teas instead of coffee.
Feel the power of those detoxifying methods. Try to incorporate them into your daily life and feel the benefits on your mind and body.
And who knows after all this you may feel ready to commit to a full detox program. If you are interested in this, I wrote a book on how to do this safely and without starving yourself. It is a 10-day program where you can eat plenty of fresh, whole foods such as fruits, veggies, and nuts.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
