Even though detox is usually associated with recovering from addiction to drugs (cocaine, marijuana / weed / THC, heroin, methamphetamine or opiates, to name a few), it is also a fantastic way to lose weight naturally and fast. Even if you feel that you are a perfectly healthy person, many specialists recommend that you undergo a detox every once in a while to make sure your body stays on track. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to consume only organic foods or fully stay away from toxins, so you should detox often to give your system the energy and nutrient boost it needs to work like a pro. If you are not quite sure how to start or what you can do, you can check out our list of 17 tips on how to detox your body for beginners, most of which you can do at home. You can choose one or combine a few tips and allow your body to enjoy the detox it deserves. Test your will power, push your limits and cleanse your mind, soul and body. U can do it!
1. Organic Produce
We really can’t stress enough how important organic produce is not only for detoxing, but for carrying out a healthy lifestyle in general. The pesticides that are sprayed on fruits and vegetables can be doing your body a world of harm without you even knowing it. Stay away from labels and consider shopping safely for greens from local farmers.
Unfortunately, there are so many misleading pieces of information out there when it comes to organic produce. Perhaps one of the most common is the fact that organic produce has to be expensive. If you live in a town that holds weekly or monthly farmer’s market gatherings, then this is one of the best locations to get some fresh organic produce at a great price point. Oftentimes, the produce sold here is a lot cheaper than the produce you will find at the grocery store.
If you do not have access to organic produce, then your next step would be to be sure that you thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before you use them. This will help to eliminate at least some of the pesticides that are used on the exterior of the produce.
2. Rest
You can’t expect your body to function properly if you are losing night after night of sleep by either working until the wee hours of the morning or going out to party. Your body requires rest and relaxation to do its magic during the day, so take all of the necessary precautions to get the sleep you need. Having problems with insomnia? Try drinking a hot cup of tea before getting into bed and try to meditate as long as you can to drift off to sleep.
If you find that insomnia is something you deal with on a regular basis, then it might be worth it just to pay a visit to your doctor. For some people, a lack of melatonin could be the reason that you are staying up all night. Other things that you can do to help you fall asleep including shutting off all electronic devices for a full hour before you actually go to bed. When you stay away from bright screens, you give your brain a chance to wind down and settle into a nighttime routine before you go to bed. This will do wonders for allowing you to get a good night’s rest.
3. Protein
Protein really does wonders for your body. Do not let days pass without consuming them! You can get your protein intake from eggs, chicken, nuts or fish, as well as from homemade protein shakes. Dr. Mark Hyman highlights the importance of proteins when it comes to answering the question “how to detox your body” like this: “protein, protein, protein at every meal, especially breakfast, is the key to balancing blood sugar and insulin and cutting cravings”.
4. Body Wraps
One of the most relaxing tips on how to detox your body is getting a body wrap. The majority of large spas and salons offer this service, and usually recommend mud or seaweed wraps to detoxicate the skin. However, many members of the medical community do not agree with the idea of body wraps for detox purposes and state that it might not have any effect on this level. Nevertheless, quite a few doctors agree that including clay in a body wrap might present effective results.
5. Detox Baths
Why leave the house to detox when you can do it yourself at home? Detox baths are not only extremely soothing, but they are also quite efficient when it comes to getting rid of toxins. Prepare your detox bath by adding Epsom salt to hot water and the essential oils of your choice. Allow yourself to soak in the tub for as long as you can and repeat whenever you have the time for long-term results.
There is a wide variety of essential oils that you can use in your bath. One of the best essential oils to settle on, however, is lavender. Lavender oil can offer you anti-inflammatory properties that will not only heal your skin but will help with moisturizing it. Additionally, the calming and soothing effect of lavender is something you cannot pass up when you are in a relaxing bath.
6. Citruses
Many fruits are great for getting rid of toxins in your body, but none of them compare to the healing power of citruses. Lemons, oranges, tangerines, limes and grapefruit are all excellent choices for cleansing your body. According to a self-help article on WikiHow.com, “the citric acid in lemons has the ability to dissolve built-up toxins in the body, allowing them to be flushed out through urination.” Stack up on citruses from your local market!
7. Greens
We all know that fruits and vegetables are vital for your body at any given time, not just when attempting to detox. Leafy greens are an exceptional detoxing agent that conceals a world full of delightful health benefits and healing properties. Among all greens, studies show that kale is one of the most efficient super foods out there that comes packed with nutrients that aid the detoxification process.
8. LOTS of Water
If you are not drinking at least two liters of water each and every day, you are making quite a big mistake. Your body cannot get rid of the toxins causing you discomfort if you do not eliminate it through sweat or urine. This is impossible without drinking the right amount of water. To enjoy an extra boost of wellness, squeeze a lemon into your glasses of water so you can benefit from the properties we mentioned above.
If you really cannot stomach the taste of water, then you might want to try infusing it with different fruits and vegetables. When you infuse your water with different foods, you give it an added flavor that will allow it to be more refreshing to your taste buds.
In addition to this, if you have a hard time drinking water, then you will want to make it a habit to try taking small and frequent steps throughout your day. This will allow your body to get used to drinking water so that it’s not as unpleasant as it was before.
9. Healthy Fats
Yep, you heard us right, you are allowed to consume fats when detoxing! But only the right ones. Coconuts, olive oil, avocados and seeds are all wonderful sources for the “good fats” your body needs. Omega-3 fatty acids are not only permitted, but are also recommended for cleansing your body of toxins. A few sources for omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, mackerel or tuna, as well as other types of fish.
10. Fiber
As far as natural cleansers are concerned, fiber is at the top of the list. It is one of the best nutrients you can consume to flush out all of those nasty toxins that are making you feel bloated, achy and weak. You can get your dose of fiber from whole grains, beans, rice, almonds or pasta, but be careful what you combine them with so you do not affect their properties. In addition to this, you can enjoy fruit as a snack while leaving their skin on.
11. Sweat
Sweat, sweat, sweat! This is, without a doubt, one of the top tips on how to detox your body. You can hit the sauna and allow all of the toxins to exit your body through your pores or, even better, exercise as much as you can. By sweating, your body is getting rid of harmful toxins in a natural way. Get to work!
12. No Sugar
Is sugar your number one drug? Forget it! Sugar is doing you more harm than you could ever imagine. In the case of sweetening, try replacing sugar with honey in your tea or lemonade. For snacks, avoid cakes, tarts, pastries and other sugar bombs and opt for some ripe and fresh fruit. Believe me, it is the tastiest and wisest choice you can make.
13. Eliminate Toxins from your Diet
You probably know by now that cigarettes are bad for you, but you must be aware of the dangers of nicotine and stop smoking so you can detox your body. Alcohol is yet another frightful fiend of your internal organs, as well as coffee. All of these elements are literally loaded with toxins that are aging and destroying your body both inside and out every minute. You can do better than that!
14. Skin Brushing
You might know about skin brushing from our cellulite articles and how it can help you get rid of dimples on your skin. Skin brushing works by removing dead cells from the surface of your skin and allowing it to breathe and regenerate. It is quite a pleasant process and you will have a good time enjoying it. Always remember to exfoliate frequently for healthy skin!
15. Juicing
Juicing is one of the most popular and effective tips on how to detox your body that you can action with. There are numerous detoxes out there that are based solely on juicing and drinking these homemade beverages. It is very important to consume many liquids when attempting to detox, and juicing really is the best option for doing so. You can juice all sorts of fruits and veggies and benefit from a 100% natural and delicious drink made at home.
16. Smoothies
Speaking of juicing, smoothies are a close relative and an equally yummy alternative. You can easily make smoothies at home by combining your favorite vegetables or fruits and mixing them up in your blender with ice or soy milk. The result is a fantastic and refreshing drink that is packed with nutrients and other healthy goodies.
17. Exercise
Last but oh so certainly not least, exercise is the absolute best option for detoxing your body. You can try or combine all of the methods in the world, but nothing compares to daily exercise, even if it means jogging in your local park. Your body will never be able to eliminate all of the toxins kept inside if it does not move and sweat, so make sure that you are constantly getting the right amount of exercise. Take advantage of the weekends to work out more and then get a good night’s rest. You will feel so much better than you ever thought you could.
Photo credits: Hutchbydesign.com, Organiclifestylemagazine.com.