Top Tips for Successful Detoxing

If you’ve read the blog post on 10 Signs You Need to Detox you may feel that you could benefit from a cleanse. Now you need to gen up on how to go about it and that’s what we’ll explore here. Detoxing can be done on many different levels and for different lengths of time. Even if you are doing just a one day cleanse there are a few things that will improve the experience for you. Here are our top tips:

Preparation

Before you begin prepare! Choose a day or days where you do not have too much on so you’ll have the time and space to nurture yourself. Stock up on healthy, organic foods and drinks. This will mainly be fruit, vegetables and herbs. It’s a good idea to plan what you are going to eat and drink in advance.

Extras

As well as healthy foods you may want to incorporate nutrient rich extras such as barley grass, wheat grass, chlorella, spirulina, bee pollen or sea vegetables such as nori or dulse,

Hydration

It’s important to stay hydrated while detoxing as fluids aid body function, cleansing and elimination. Fluids can be in the form of water, herbal teas, ginger tea, dandelion coffee, miso soup and freshly pressed vegetable juices.

Activity

It is not a good idea to do too much exercise when detoxing. Your body needs its energy for cleansing and you will be taking in fewer calories than normal. That said, it’s not ideal to sit down all day so intersperse your day with small bouts of moderate activity; stretching, yoga, tai chi and gentle walking are all suitable.

Cleansing

To aid cleansing through the skin try dry skin brushing before bathing. This stimulates the lymph and removes dead skin cells. Relax in a bath with essential oils, epsom salts or dead sea salts.

Rest

Rest is an important part of rejuvenation. It is during rest and sleep that the body repairs itself. So give yourself time to sleep and rest. Avoid bright lights or screens in the evening and make your bedroom a relaxing sanctuary free from devices.

Daylight

Get some daylight and fresh air by spending some time outside.

Breathe

Much of the time we breathe shallowly at the top of our lungs. Take some time to breathe fully, inhaling and exhaling. There are many breathing exercises to choose from. If you are new to breathing exercises just do them for a few minutes before returning to normal breathing. Here are a few examples for how to use counting to stay focussed on your breath:

• Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, breathe out for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts and then begin again.
• Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, exhale for 8 counts, pause and begin again.
• Breathe in for 4 counts, pause, exhale for 8 counts, pause and continue.

Side Effects

Please note, whilst detoxing produces many benefits, when you first begin detoxing you may feel worse as your body brings things to the surface. It’s advisable to do a gentle one day detox a few times before doing longer or more strict detoxes. Listen to your body and don’t overdo it.

Symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, skin breakouts and digestive changes are all normal but if they become severe consult a health care practitioner.

Detoxing is not advisable for those on medications, pregnant, breast feeding or anyone with serious health problems. Always consult with your doctor before embarking on any dietary changes.

See blog post on One Day Detox Menu for ideas on what to eat and drink during your cleanse.