This post contains affiliate links. Click here to find out what that means.
The word “detox” usually conjures up mental images of colon hydrotherapy or drinking nasty concoctions. But detoxing does not necessarily mean these things; in fact, they are a stress to your body and could even be harmful!
The key here is to gently detox. In our modern world, we are bombarded daily with toxins and chemicals. To some degree, we can control our exposure by using natural cleaning products and eating organically. But since there are many things we cannot control, it’s important to have daily detox practices. Check out this list of 9 ideas you can start implementing today!
- Drink enough water. This might seem basic, right? But who among us drinks enough water each day……….that’s right, I thought so. 😉 Water is obviously critical for our survival, but did you know that once you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated? If you are dehydrated, your kidneys can’t flush themselves properly. How much should one be drinking? The standard eight glasses a day isn’t appropriate for every human. One theory is to drink half your weight (pounds) in ounces. [1]
- Apple cider vinegar. Before breakfast, try drinking a glass of filtered water with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Room temperature or warm water is best. You could also use fresh lemon juice. Make sure that if you use ACV that you get one that is organic and “with the mother.” Bragg’s is a reputable brand. Benefits I’ve noticed by doing this daily is better digestion and regular bowel movements. Having good, regular poops also removes toxins from the body. If the taste is difficult to endure at first, mix in a drop of lemon essential oil and/or a teaspoon of raw honey. But eventually you’ll get used to the taste and won’t be able to start your day without it!
- Have a good bowel movement. Yup, I went there. Let’s talk about poop! When we become constipated, our digestive tract can’t eliminate toxins that have built up in that system. Imagine those toxins sitting in your gut for days….gross! When we have complete, smooth elimination, our body naturally rids itself of toxins and bacteria. If you are feeling constipated, try using a “Squatty Potty”. This toilet stool helps align the end of your colon and your anal sphincter to allow for more complete and easy elimination. Also make sure you’re drinking enough water (see above).
- Vitamin supplementation. If our bodies are working properly, we will naturally detox. To encourage this process, possessing proper nutrients is essential. However, make sure that you are using a quality supplement. All are not created equal! I use a few different reputable brands, including doTERRA, Designs for Health, and Douglas Laboratories.
- Lemon essential oil. This goes hand-in-hand with drinking enough water. One reason why many people don’t drink enough water is because it isn’t exciting or tasty. Lemon can solve that while also boosting your body’s natural detoxification process! Simply put a couple drops in a (glass or stainless steel!) water bottle, shake, and drink. [2] (Important note: do NOT use your typical essential oil from the grocery store internally or even topically! They could be harmful. The only brand I recommend for therapeutic use is doTERRA.)
- Sweating. When I was seeing a functional medicine M.D., he advised me to frequently work up a good sweat. Why? Because it is a great way to eliminate toxins from the body! You can sweat either by exercising or by sitting in a sauna. Make sure to rinse yourself off immediately afterwards; otherwise the toxins will absorb right back into your skin.
- Take an Epsom salt bath. This is both detoxing and relaxing at the same time. You will also absorb magnesium through your skin, which is another benefit since many people don’t get enough magnesium. Check out Wellness Mama for a variety of recipes.
- Use a shower filter. You might be used to filtering your drinking water, but have you thought about filtering your shower water? Chlorinated, heated water is damaging when inhaled and can also exacerbate skin issues. Chris Kresser has an excellent article delving deeper into this topic. Culligan makes a nice shower head filter and it even makes the water feel better!
- Sleep. This may make you scratch your head, so if you are, check out this study. In a nutshell, sleeping can help your brain detox. If we don’t get enough sleep, it could put us at higher risk for diseases like Alzheimer’s. Considering that so many Americans are sleep-deprived, this needs to be at the top of our list! Seven to eight hours per night is what most adults need. Some can thrive on six while some need around nine. Only you can determine what it is that you need!
Do you incorporate any of these practices into your daily life? What’s your favorite way to gently detox?
References:
[1] https://www.livestrong.com/article/250030-how-to-determine-if-you-are-drinking-half-your-body-weight-in-water/
[2] https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-lemon-oil
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267611.php