Detoxification has been practiced by many cultures throughout the world for centuries. The key components are resting, cleansing, and nourishing the body from the inside out. This ritual rids the body of toxins and feeds it healthy nutrients. Detoxing is a great technique to use when you have a cold, flu, or just feel plain old lousy.
Detox aims to cleanse the blood, kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. When you hear “detox”, you think of not eating or drinking anything but water for a week, right? Well that is not the case with historical detoxification. With a few lifestyle changes, you have the potential to feel like a brand new person… Here’s how.
Start off by eliminating your intake of toxins. Toxins are things like alcohol, coffee (sorry college students!), cigarettes, refined sugars, and foods with a lot of saturated fats. At the same time, eliminate your use of chemical-based health care products. These are your cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpaste; read the small print, people! There are a bunch of harmful ingredients in the items you use everyday. Splurge a little and purchase all natural alternatives.
(https://kimberlysnyder.com/blog/2012/05/24/do-all-natural-skincare-produ…)
Once you’ve re-stocked your pantry and shower, focus on stress levels. Stress triggers hormones that are released into your body. This process also releases toxins and slows down the detoxification enzymes in the liver. This may sound impossible considering you have a five course workload, are working four days a week while simultaneously trying to keep your relationships afloat. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you an effective way to decrease your stress!
Now it’s time to choose a detox program. There are hundreds of beneficial detox recipes that you can choose from to fit your individual needs. Most regimens are based on a seven-day schedule, but there are also some five-day plans. Five common detox diets are: fruit and veggie detox, smoothie cleanse, juice cleanse, sugar detox, and hypoallergenic detox. You can find these and a bunch more on sites like Pinterest.
(https://www.pinterest.com/explore/detox-juice-diet/?lp=true)
After choosing and executing a detox diet, there are many ways to cleanse your body daily with some simple lifestyle changes. First, eat a bunch of fiber. Fiber is a carbohydrate that often gets overlooked while shopping for food at the grocery store. Buy high-fiber foods like brown rice, radishes, cabbage, and broccoli. If those sound gross, then make a smoothie with some fresh fruit, spirulina, beets, seaweed, and a teaspoon of honey!
Second, drink and eat herbs to protect your liver. Green tea is a great way to cleanse your body daily. It’s super cheap! You can even begin to grow your own herbs if you have a “green thumb”. A hot cup of herbal tea before bed won’t just cleanse you, but will put you right to sleep!
(livestrong.com)
WATER! It is a major necessity to a clean body. Drink at least two quarts a day. To make it easy, just carry around a reusable water bottle and fill it up at filtered water stations.
(https://www.theodysseyonline.com/milly-water-crisis-told-spongebob-squar…)
Next key is to breathe. Breathing deeply opens your passage way to let in more oxygen. Be mindful of each breath you take.
Complexion is important to us right? Don’t we all want to have the nicest, softest skin? Dry-brushing and foot baths are great ways to remove toxins through your pores. That’s super important after a long day because of all the dirt that gets trapped into our pores. Brushes and bath soaps are available in any natural aisle of the store.
Lastly, stress. Transform your stress into positive emotions. Buy some yoga DVDs, go to an exercise class, go for a run, or meditate. Doing physical activity releases hormones that decrease stress levels. Work out once a day for one hour and you’ll not only ace your classes, get employee of the week, and keep the romantic spark between you and your partner… but you’ll also get a hot bod!
I know that was a lot of information at once, but don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to all of that in one day because it’s impossible! Start with a positive, open mindset and go from there. Detoxification has been passed down to us through ancient cultures. It is not only directed to eating and drinking correctly, but having stress-free feelings, and positive emotions.
So what are you waiting for? Give your friend the Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked pint and party sized Doritos bag you have sitting around. Go to the store and fill your carriage up with locally sourced fruits and veggies!
Be positive, and good luck… You can do it!
(quoteideas.com)
(Some information found on Gaiam.com)