After all the holiday eating, drinking, and being merry, I think we’re all in need of some serious detox. But what exactly does that entail? There are lot of options for detox, but what’s right for you?
Here are some easy tips to incorporate into your already very busy life!
Cut out the bad stuff
There are a lot of things that can wreak havoc on our insides. Many create inflammation and affect the way our bodies process food. Eliminate caffeine, any drugs or alcohol, gluten, refined sugars, and dairy to start. Check out my Making Changes that Last blog for more information on how to change your diet progressively.
My Tip: Read your food labels! What are you actually putting in your body? Look for things like artificial sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharine- check out a full list here), genetically modified ingredients (check out the Non-GMO Project), high Fructose Corn Syrup (now labeled as fructose or fructose syrup), nitrites (found frequently in hot dogs and sandwich meat), artificial coloring or flavoring, and over-processed foods. Here is more information from the FDA about food ingredients, additives and colors.
Drink at least 90 ounces of water a day
Water is necessary for the body to function. Most of our bodies are used to running dehydrated because we do not drink enough water! Water is essential to maintain a healthy balance of body fluids. These body fluids are necessary for digestion, circulation, muscle tone and beautiful skin!
My Tip: Check out my instagram, for my favorite detox water recipe.
Green Tea
Green tea is great to boost metabolism, it moves stagnation and clears impurities in the system. Don’t go too overboard, it has caffeine and may keep you awake at night- try to intake it in the morning to early afternoon, no more than a few cups a day.
Detox Bath
I’m going to let you in on my favorite detox bath recipe. By adding essential oils to castille soap first, they become more water-soluble and don’t just float in the tub. If you’re not a bath person, you can either add the oils to a diffuser or to a carrier oil to apply topically.
Ingredients:
6 drops Clove Bud Oil
5 Drops Lemon Oil
2 Drops Cinnamon Bark Oil
2 Drops Eucalyptus Oil
1 Drop Rosemary Oil
2-4 Tbsp Castille Soap
2 Cups Epsom Salt
Instructions: Combine Essential Oils with 2-4 tbsp of castille soap in a small container, add mixture with 2 cups of epsom salt to bath, soak at least 20 minutes and enjoy!
Exercise
Cardiovascular health is always important. The heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout your system, allowing your body to function properly. A healthy body starts with a healthy heart. From a Chinese Perspective, exercise moves stagnation in the body. Stagnation is the cause of disease, by moving the body, we move stagnation.
My Tip: Start small. Add in 2 days a week of 20 minutes cardio, this can be as simple as a brisk walk!
Meditation
A good detox can’t be successful without a little mind-body connection. Being mindful helps productivity and lowers stress levels. Check out this article for how to start a meditation practice if you don’t already have one!
Yoga
Yoga calms the mind and moves stagnation. Hot yoga helps you sweat out toxins! Lots of studios offer new member specials or a free first class, so it’s easy to try!
My Tip: Be wary, if you do take a hot yoga class, be sure to drink plenty of water before and after and listen to your body! Not everyone is made to be folded up like a pretzel or to stand on their head.
Acupuncture
I have a specific detox protocol, but acupuncture can help assist with detox in a few ways. It moves stagnation (see exercise above), regulates metabolism, regulates fluids and calms the mind. If you’d like to schedule a visit, click here for scheduling. Otherwise, check out my website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for more information.
Be Well,
Lexy
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