It’s almost Spring, yayyyyyyyy I can’t wait!! The approach of the new season heralds the arrival of milder weather and the intention to ‘Spring clean’. But when I say this I don’t mean to clean the house. The house is cleaned weekly and some parts daily so no need for a Spring clean here. My Spring clean involves something a little different. I plan to Spring clean myself. No I will not stand outside in the garden whilst my husband sprays me with a jet wash it’s more of a Spring detox.
What do you think of when you hear the word detox? There are many ways to detox and it encompasses so many different approaches. The best form of detox is one that takes a holistic approach. All areas should be addressed which means you need to detox the body and the mind not just the body. The best way to detox is to incorporate more than one method.
This sounds complicated but is really far easier than you might imagine. Don’t worry I’m a medical herbalist so you are in safe hands.
Forms of detox include:
Treat the Body Orally
Drink plenty of water, this helps flush out waste from the body. Aim for approximately 1.5 to 2 litres daily.
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Eat high water content fruit and veg. Include leafy greens and vegetables and ripe fruits. This helps increase your fibre intake and helps clean out the bowel, bump up your vitamin and nutrient intake and so much more.
Drink smoothies but watch the sugar content such as grapes, bananas, mangos, pears, apples and pineapples.
Reduce your sugar intake as much as possible from other foods too. This means avoiding sweets, cakes and processed foods.
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Increase your intake of alkaline forming foods within the body such as lemon, beans, plain yogurt, most vegetables and many more.
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Various herbs, tinctures, teas can help stimulate the body to eliminate toxins from your system but guidance from a qualified practitioner is always important as when used incorrectly you can make yourself ill. One of the most common organs treated is the liver to help support it as the liver detoxifies toxins that we are exposed to through the environment and food on a daily basis.
Treat the body Physically
Get your training kit on! – Sweating is a natural way of eliminating toxins / waste via the pores of the skin.
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Get plenty of sleep – this helps the body to heal itself and your muscles and your mind to relax. It also allows the body to recharge in a sense to allow for effective detoxification.
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The benefit of yoga retreats must also be considered as these a perfect to facilitate the correct environment for relaxing the mind and body and improve detoxification.
Treat the Mind
Meditation – not really something that I have tried myself although this can works wonders to relax the mind.
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Digital Detox – avoiding the use of electrical equipment such as phones, computers etc. This is a hard one but really does help clear and relax the mind.
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Reiki – a healing technique that works on the principle that energy can be channeled through the body to heal, detoxify and also relax the body and mind. Having practiced this form of healing for quite a few years I have found this very beneficial as an aid to relaxing the mind especially as well the previously mentioned benefits.
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Detoxes should not last for long periods of time although the basics should be incorporated into daily life such as drinking plenty of water, eating fresh veg and fruits and watching our sugar intake. Sleep is something most of us are guilty of not getting enough of yet just a small increase in the amount of sleep we get would greatly benefit us all. Simple changes made part of a routine can make you feel more energetic, help weight loss, make your skin look better, help fight the signs of aging, help the body fight off colds better and so much more. Why not consider doing a detox yourself, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain!
Disclaimer: make sure you seek your doctor’s advice before detoxing especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions as these could be exacerbated by some of the forms of detoxing mentioned here.
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I am personally not a fan of the word detox, as I think our bodies are perfectly capable of just naturally detoxing through healthy eating and exercise, rather than going on a specific detox.
They are provided people assist their bodies to do so but unfortunately in this day and age many don’t and will go for easy options that are making it harder for their body to do its job. It’s almost a lifestyle change in a sense and works wonders.
Some great tips here. I try and eat as well as I can (with some indulgent treats occasionally thrown in!), exercise every day and make sure I get at least two litres of water a day. For the rest – I let my liver just do its job. 😉
Sounds like you are doing well Elizabeth. You are helping your body look after itself which is great!
I already do most of the above, exercise weekly, drink lots of water, eat plenty of veg and have a good diet. I would however like to try out meditation I need to find a quiet way to relax and collect my thoughts xx
It’s on my to do list too. Maybe tonight if I remember.
I think I need to do something like this, I only usually drink water in the summer I really do need to take on board what you have said. I am fine on the fruit and veg though x
I think we are all a bit up and down with the fluid intake depending on the time of year.
I completely admit I love home made smoothies but definitely do not make enough. x
That’s a shame they are really easy to make plus taste yummy!
Fab tips! I love a smoothie, I always add in at least 2 greens (spinach, watercress etc). I’m trying really hard to eat healthier as I need to loose some weight and I want to be healthy, you know? Getting enough sleep is very important, too!
You sound like you are doing well. Getting to sleep early for me is quite difficult although I am working on it.
I drink lots of water and squash and go to the gym quite a bit but I don’t treat my body mentally. Definitely something I should do more of x
It works wonders to relax your mind and helps you sleep so much better.
Thanks for this it’s really need to start taking care of myself so this detox info and tips are really helpful x
These are quiet simple but very effective.
I started doing this at the beginning of the year but I have to admit that I only did it for 4 days and then stopped you have made me need to get this detox started again
Good luck Emma, don’t forget you don’t need to detox fo to long at a time.
Already on it with my smoothies and have to say doing well and do work.
Great to hear Hannah, keep up with the smoothies.
These are top detox tips. I love a good detox and the way my body feels afterwards.
Thanks, I’m glad you liked them. You’ll feel better after doing just a few of these.
I would love to go on a yoga retreat one day and just take it all in. The thought makes me feel zen without even being there!
Imagine how great it would feel to go on one!
Some great tips here and I am all for blitzing some fruit if it means meeting my five a day target x
It’s a great way to help cover the minimum of 5 fruit / veg a day!
A friend of mine is doing this and it is working so well for him.
I love detoxing by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. I really enjoy adding a few juices into my diet too if I am feeling bloated xxx
I really need to start drinking more water! I’m the worst for eating sweets in the afternoon as a pick-me-up, so I’m hoping that when I go Freelance at the end of the month, I’ll be able to make a positive change – & start going to yoga and the gym again too!
I think I need a spring clean myself. I keep saying I am going to go back to the gym, but I just keep putting it off
I’m definitely a home-made smoothie lover, I’m always drinking them! I need to try and do yoga more often.
I love a good detox every now and then. Refreshes the body and mind X
Great tips I’m getting better at eating healthier 🙂
Mmm that smoothie does look good! I definitely need to follow some of these guidelines to detox both my body and mind. Have been feeling very stressed lately but hopefully this will help -thanks!
Such a great post, I think it’s a fab idea to give your body a detox every now and then 🙂 x
Never done a detox and don’t think I ever will. I eat well enough (treat myself to cake or something sweet once a week). Only thing I would change is more fruit.
It’s nice to detox from technology too sometimes as it gives your eyes and mind a rest.
I’m not a fan of smoothies myself, when I am detoxing I just like to eat my 5 a day
Good luck, sounds like your doing quite well. I don’t eat or drink enough 🙁
It can be hard to stick to it smetimes but it’s worth it in the end.
I’ve never tried a proper detox but I’d love to have the motivation to one day!
The beauty is you don’t need to do everything just a few things will result in improvements.
I’m Def trying to drink more water. I have a big bottle on my desk that I try to refill twice throughout the day to get 2 litres in me between 9-5!
That’s great Leanne, keep it up!
I could probably do with a detox. Ive spent the last year eating so much sugar. I blame breastfeeding, I crave it! The only excersize I get is running around after my daughter, and sleep, well I have forgotten what that is.
Lol Cassandra, I know how you feel but the sleep will come or so I am told. I have no 3 now so started all over again! 😉
Best of luck with this! Don’t forget a detox is a temp thing xo
It depends on how you do it, by eating healthily all the time and drinking lots of water etc technically it can be a way of life.
I don’t really do detox but you really have got some good tips here I think I need a digital detox personally
Me too, although not sure when I will get one! 😉
Due to medical issues I am unable to do this sort of detox but there are times when I change my eating habits to improve my health
That can also work wonders. Ideally we would all have perfect diets but in this day and age it can be difficult.
These are great ideas – I definitely need a ‘spring clean’ for the mind and body!
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I need one for my mind at the moment, the children’s homework is enough to drive me crazy, or at least getting them to do it lol.
like to incorporate some of these ideas into a daily routine for simple change rather than all at once in a detox for a small period of time x
It is best to do that and I have with some just need to push myself that bit more.
great tips, great read
Thanks Gemma, have you tried any of them?
Already love reiki and relaxation … I use Hypnotherapy MP3’s for that … also I am using them to get my sleeping back on track .. working so far .. I have cut down sugar … on the way to totally cutting it out … but then sooo much more to do .. Thanks for all the info xxx
Thanks for your comment Rebekah, you sound like you are doing a great job.
Spring cleaning your body and mind are definitely something forme. After developing a long term chronic illness last year I’ve bee battling demons physically and mentally. I now feel strong enough to go through this process and am about to begin it. This post very much struck a chord with me.
Good luck Gillian, don’t forget you can do as little or as much as you can cope with but start slowly 😉