Three Things You Need to Know Before You Go On a DETOX!

By BR Amelia

Feeling sluggish? Tired? A bit... blah? Looking a little puffy? Breaking out randomly? It could be that your body is begging for you to show it a little love.

FUN FACT! The body is designed to detox naturally - that's why we have the likes of kidneys, lungs and livers. BUT sometimes it needs a little help - especially if we've not been treating ourselves so well. Now while we're not ones for recommending the kinds of detox that sees you living on soup or juices for weeks on end or any regime that sees such a huge and harsh turnaround that it's impossible to maintain and sees us revert to our previous form but only more so, we are believers that what we put into - and onto - our bodies is what we get out, and sometimes that needs a little fine-tuning*. So what can we do to show our bods that we care and to give it a helping hand? Three simple things.

What You Put In...

Be mindful of what goes into your body. Detoxification doesn't mean having to live on vegetables and water - it simply means putting in food that is easy for your body to process and/or helps with the detoxification process. Thankfully that means you don't have to eat a super limited diet. Instead, up your water intake. We don't mean chug litres and litres of water, but drink enough so that when you go to the bathroom the toilet water is still pale once you've done your business. You can also enjoy herbal teas and nutrient-packed fresh juices. If you're serious about giving your body a refresh you'll slowly cut back, and perhaps even eventually remove, caffeine and alcohol. 

Review your diet. If it's filled with processed foods, refined sugars and saturated fats... you might want to cut back. And by 'might' we mean 'should'. Replace chips, chocolate and lollies with fresh fruit, nuts and seeds. Add in wholegrains like brown rice, quinoa and oats. While cheese and milk is often cut out of detox regimes, that doesn't mean all dairy has to be removed. Probiotic yoghurt can help restore your digestive health, while providing calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein and more. Like meat? A little can be fine, but make sure it's not processed and don't go overboard - try and have a few vegetarian meals throughout the week, and/or switch out red meat for fresh fish or chicken. Speaking of veges... You'll want to eat those. Lots of them. Especially those filled with dietary fibre, like broccoli, sweetcorn, carrots, potatoes with skin on, peas, beans... Why? Dietary fibre helps with your body's 'eliminations'. Lastly, go crazy with the condiments. Spices, herbs, ginger, garlic - stir through, scatter, sprinkle, mix in. Not only are they beneficial to your health, but that make meals taste even better!

What You Put On

While your body's shaping up from the inside, we can give it a helping hand on the outside. A good soak in Epsom salts will work to reduce stress, ease inflammation and eliminate toxins. You can also take up body brushing, which will stimulate your lymphatic system and support your body's release of toxins.

If your skin's showing signs of congestion a good product can help it detox. Charcoal's long been known for its ability to draw out impurities and excess oil from the skin, We're loving the reviews for the Garnier Pure Active Charcoal 3 in 1 Mask. 

Don't Forget to Breathe (and move!)

Lastly? Don't forget to breathe. It's very easy to slip into the habit of shallow breathing, but breathing deeply helps the body in a myriad of ways, including ridding the body of toxins, easing your mind-load, and taking the edge off those stressful, tension-filled days. An easy way to get your daily deep breaths is to take a yoga class, or if a class is out of your budget or timing is an issue you can always try a YouTube yoga class. (The crew's favourite is Yoga With Adriene. And, as always, before taking on a new exercise regime it pays to get the go ahead from your health professional.) Prefer something a little less strenuous? Take a nice long walk and exercise your lungs that way. Breathe in deeply until your chest is filled, then push the breath out. Bliss. (You can check out a more detailed description on good breathing here.)

There you have it, three simple ways you can help your body detox naturally. So, do tell... are you a fan of keeping your body in top-notch detox condition? Tell us your experience! Give us your tips and tricks! Sharing is caring! 

*As always, before you undertake a new eating or exercising plan PLEASE talk to a health professional first.