What is the first thing you think of when you think of the words “detox” or “cleanse”? If you are anything like me the first thing you probably think of is starvation and painful symptoms.
There are many things that you can do that will painlessly cleanse and nourish your body! These habits will be more effective in the long-run as opposed to the crash diets that only provide short-term benefits!
- Water
This one should be a given, every living cell in your body runs off of water. It is especially important for your lymphatic system which flushed your body of toxins and unneeded substances.
Start off your morning right with a glass of warm or lukewarm water with fresh squeezed lemon juice, and if you are adventurous a little aluminum free baking soda. Both help to normalize the Ph of the body, are anti-carcinogenic, anti-fungal, antibacterial and will pull toxins from your bloodstream.
- Meditation
Cleansing the mind is equally as important as cleansing the body. Meditation gives you space to breathe and let go of repetitive thoughts and raging emotions. Take five minutes out of your routine and meditate!
- Dry Brushing
The Lymphatic System is an intricate network of nodes, ducts, and vessels that help to move lymph from the body tissue to the bloodstream. Since it’s circulating through your body and is key to cleansing out toxins and waste, it is important to detoxification. A popular way to smooth out the flow is dry brushing.
Dry Brushing is the process of running a brush in specific, continuous, circular motions across your skin, upwards towards the heart.
- Hydrotherapy
After you get done with your dry brushing, jump into the shower and alternative between 2 minutes of hot water and 30 seconds of cold water. Do this for 3-5 repetitions during your shower.
This type of therapy increases circulation and lymphatic flow, as well as boosts your immune system and metabolism.
- Stretching
Stretching is a great way to rejuvenate the body and cleanse it through slow, steady motions and movements. These movements help increase the circulation throughout your body and stimulate the release of toxins.
- Sound Therapy
Because we are constantly surrounded by noise and disturbances, our ears start to become desensitized towards the higher pitched sound frequencies. This sort of therapy is designed to help restore that sensitivity again.
- Pet Therapy
Pet therapy is a phenomenal way to reduce stress and cleanse your body at an emotional level. Pets are energy sensitive and have a keen way of knowing when people are uptight or depressed. Their constant temperaments and love for affection have been known to lower heart rates, calm reeling thought processes and ease fatigue.
- Herbs
Herbs are by far some of the most powerful plants when it comes to restoring health. For almost every single human disease there is a healing counterpart that can be found in the plant kingdom.
- Morning Fasting
In the morning our bodies are in elimination mode and are focusing on releasing toxins and cleansing. Waking up and eating a heavy breakfast can be counterproductive in your body’s attempt to cleanse. Instead of pancakes or cereal have a glass of warm lemon water and later opt for a green juice or smoothie that is full of raw, living foods that will continue to cleanse and replenish your body in the best way.
- Aromatherapy
Aromatic compounds have influence over a person’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Many cultures around the world use aromatherapy for healing and rejuvenating purposes. Doing something as inhaling a little peppermint oil can be extremely beneficial, as it will help you fell more focused and awake.
- Oil Pulling
Oil pulling has been used for centuries as an Ayurveda medicine, oil pulling is an amazing way to start the detoxification process that has gained some popularity in the U.S. that last several years.
- Foot Massage
Massaging your feet gives them a chance to loosen up and release toxins. There are many methods on how to massage the feet and the one we suggest is a massage using a tennis ball or frozen water bottle.
- Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt is high in magnesium; the second most abundant element in humans cells. It helps to regulate over 325 enzymes and helps with numerous bodily functions. This is one of those tricky minerals to obtain on the standard American diet, which is why a lot of people are deficient (it’s estimated that upwards of 80% of the population are deficient!). Soaking in Epsom salts is an excellent way to get a boost of magnesium and address any connected symptoms.
Recipe:
- 1 Cup Epsom Salt
- 1 Cup Aluminum Free Baking Soda
- 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 10 Drops Essential oil
- Sun Therapy
Do not be afraid of the sun! We are made to live connected to the sunlight and the energy of the earth. Vitamin D deficiency is a rising problem in the States and it contributes to a plethora of medical problems. Daily Vitamin D supplements, spending time outside, or using Vitamin D lamps are all great ways of making sure you get your daily dose of Vitamin D.
- Workout
Qi = life force and vital energy. Gong = accomplishment or skill. Qi Gong = Cultivating energy. It is an ancient Chinese health care system that uses physical postures, specific breathing techniques, and mental focus to help cleanse the body and stimulate energy flow. It is one of the best ways to find relief from anxiety and cultivate inner peace. Even taking 10 minutes out of your day to do qi gong or a similar exercise will boost your productivity and mental performance.
As you can see there are a lot of different ways to detox our body that do not have awful side effects. They are all easy to do, so why not pick up a few extra habits? Your health is nothing to mess around with!