Natural Ways to Detox Daily
Did you know that 95% of the world's population has health problems? It’s a staggering number when you think of it. And you’re likely one of many who fall into that statistic. Because as the world gets more toxic by the day, through pollution and negativity, the number of illnesses has reached an all-time high. But what’s a girl to do? One solution is to detox ourselves of these harmful toxins. And to help you do just that, I’ll guide you through natural ways to detox daily, so that you can rid yourself of mental and physical toxicity.
These illnesses that are affecting us arise from very minute pathogens, both physically and mentally. These pathogens are everywhere around us, but we simply don’t notice them. And they can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, back pain, or even a mild headache. Typically, these symptoms go away quite quickly but still hibernate in our system - waiting for the right time to come out again.
Because of the busy lifestyles we lead, we often neglect ourselves when it comes to minor inconveniences that we play off coolly as a cold or rash. But here’s something to think about. We try to detoxify the environment by cleaning oceans, planting more trees, and saving animals. Likewise, our bodies have a world of their own that needs a thorough cleanse during times of stress.
So, listen to what your body needs and what your mind is trying to tell you. With these simple steps, you can incorporate into your daily regime, you can do precisely that.
Here are ten natural ways to detox daily. They don’t have to take hours. In fact, even a few seconds devoted to these methods can do a world of wonder for you.
Nature's very own magical ingredient is bound to be on top of the list. That’s because water's numerous benefits allow it to detoxify your body by removing waste products. Hydrating yourself will enable your cellular machinery to operate at its optimum level. It simultaneously detoxifies and fulfills its numerous other functions.
Here are just a few benefits water provides.
The daily recommended amount of water for men is 125 ounces (3.7 Liters), and for women, it is 91 ounces (2.7 liters). You may need more or less depending on your diet, weight, and location.
If you don't like the taste of plain water, lemon or lime infused water is a great way for you to get in your hydration. Alternatively, you can substitute lemon for other fruits to add to your nutrient intake without having to add excessive amounts of sugar.
TIP: Start by learning how to make infused water to flush the toxins away.
Sweat surprisingly contains more toxins than urine alone. But as gross as you feel while sweating, it's actually a key method to get rid of the toxins in your body. Studies also report that our skin's sweat glands can detoxify as much as one or both of our kidneys.
We already know that exercise is a great way to break a sweat. But have you heard of sauna therapy? Research experiments have shown that sauna therapy is one of the most potent methods of detoxing our bodies.
Sweating allows internal toxins to precipitate on our skin. But although it is the biggest organ in our body, our skin remains relatively inactive. Repeated use of the sauna fast tracks the process of eliminating toxins and heavy metals embedded in our skin.
TIP: If you don’t have access to sauna therapy (we have infrared saunas at both our office locations), adequate amounts of exercises such as swimming, running, and cycling can work just as well. They can get your adrenaline pumping, increase your heart rate, and allow you to sweat naturally and easily. Even 10 minutes a day can make a difference.
For a set of quick workouts you can do from the comfort of your home, take a look at our spring into summer workouts, or our 7 yoga moves for a healthy mind and body.
You can also detoxify by showing some love to your mega outer shield: your skin. Dry brushing is an incredible way to detox from the outside-in. This Cleopatra era practice of brushing over your dry skin in a methodical way helps activate the lymphatic system, increases blood circulation, and exfoliates the skin. It does this by purifying the skin of toxins on the outer barrier.
A soft, prescribed brush or a loofah can be used regularly to scrub away the dead skin cells. This part of your skin is what blocks the pores and moderates the release of toxins through the skin. Removal of the dead skin cells also gives healthy cells a chance to rejuvenate the skin and do their job more efficiently.
TIP: Dry brushing is best done just before a shower. Immediately after dry brushing, you can sprinkle Epsom salt into the bathtub and soak away the toxins.
Probiotics go hand-in-hand with immunity and detoxification. Not only does this friendly bacteria aid the digestive system, but it also assists in stripping the body of toxins. Besides, it helps fight off illnesses and infections. Probiotics also play a role in filtering the toxins found in the food and water we consume as well as in the air we breathe.
If all that wasn’t enough, probiotics also proactively support the excretion of BPA from our system. This keeps BPA from accumulating in the body and posing a threat to our health. Another way probiotics detoxify is by breaking down the heavy metal build-up in our bodies. such as mercury and lead.
TIP: Probiotics are high in foods like kefir, dark chocolate, kale, and yogurt. so, it's easy to incorporate them into your diet through smoothies, desserts, and whole meals. We love Standard Process Prosynbiotic and the new GI Stability for pre and probiotics that you can take daily.
Even those extra five minutes that you so preciously give yourself each morning can, in fact, help you naturally detoxify your body. Making sure you get sufficient and quality sleep each night is a precursor to reinforcing your body's health. Sleeping is a way for the brain to recharge, reorganize, and resettle itself. Plus, it allows your body to dispose of the waste byproducts that have been collected through the course of the day. These toxins are not only bodily discharge but also mental strain, which can be relieved by sleeping.
TIP: The general recommendation is to get 7 - 9 hours of sleep every night to sustain good health. To get a comfortable night's sleep, practice deep breathing during your nighttime routine. Doing so can help regulate the natural process of respiration.
It sounds strange, doesn’t it? It’s actually an Ayurvedic dental technique that has been used since ancient times. Also known as gundusha or kavala, oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil in your mouth. This act puts your salivary enzymes to work. These enzymes then suck out chemical, bacterial. and environmental toxins gathered from the blood and destroy their genesis. Hence, oil pulling purifies our whole body. The choice of oil is entirely up to you and is typically based on taste preferences.
TIP: The most common oil used for this technique is coconut oil due to its antibacterial properties and nutty taste. Swish and gargle the oil in your mouth for 20 minutes. This simultaneously rinses out the toxins and improves overall oral hygiene. Plus, it's an amazing technique for whitening teeth and freshening your breath.
Vitamin C is one of the strongest antioxidants out there. Like many other vitamins, it banishes away toxins that promote diseases. It also strengthens the immune system. Vitamin C can even put a few years back on you through its anti-aging and mineral absorption properties.
In acute situations in high doses, this vitamin becomes an ascorbic acid flush, a powerful cleansing agent to prevent infection. It helps to counteract free radicals, which are known to damage and harm healthy cells and DNA. With several benefits and great taste, no wonder it's a favorite among health specialists.
TIP: Not only is vitamin C found in citrus fruits, but you can also find it in leafy greens like kale, berries, melons, and mangoes.
Flowers to detox? Not only are they pretty to admire, but flowers are also a secret ingredient in the detoxification process when used in teas, oils, and lotions. For example, wild chrysanthemums help rid your body of toxins and fight infections. Then there’s honeysuckle, which has been called one of the best agents to reduce inflammation and flush the body of toxins. Honeysuckle can also be taken raw (not berries as they're poisonous) or eaten through supplements.
TIP: Other flowers that help reduce not only toxins but also stress and anxiety are carnations, roses, and lavender. One of the best ways to use them is through teas. So, the next time you receive a lovely bouquet of these flowers and they dry off, don't trash them! Instead, make yourself some calming tea and let them have a blooming effect on you.
Whether you’ve jumped on the crystal bandwagon or not, it's safe to say that its several benefits have generated a host of followers. One benefit, in particular, is its ability to detoxify not only the body but the mind too. It’s believed select crystals have the power to heal an overwhelmed mind and destress a fatigued body. They cleanse your body of toxins that regularly threaten to disrupt the balance of internal chakras that enable the sound functioning of organs.
Bloodstone, amber, black tourmaline, clear quartz, and garnite are some of the crystals that are vital in detoxifying and purifying your internal and external self. By simply wearing or keeping these stones around you, you can rid yourself of impurities, negative thoughts, and toxins.
TIP: You can also incorporate these crystals into your daily cleansing routine by using them while meditating or practicing yoga as well as when drinking water or bathing.
Probably one of the most common and now well-known ways to detox the mind is through journaling. It’s not the same as writing a diary like you used to when you were little. Instead, it’s the act of compiling thoughts while experiencing a series of emotions and mental states. Doing so can help to refresh your mind and rid you of emotional toxicity.
The reason people find it so easy to resort to journaling is because it doesn't require you to be good at writing or have the best grammar. It simply provides a space for you to gain clarity and peace by translating your abstract state into physical evidence. It's as if, instead of talking to someone about your emotional state (which is another great way to detox), you're trying to make yourself understand patterns of emotions you go through while experiencing different situations.
TIP: The best time to journal is at night, just before going to bed so that you can forget all the overthinking while you get a peaceful night's sleep.
Make Detox A Daily Habit
And there you have it! These are only a few of the several ways you can detox yourself daily. Working on these step by step, such as slowly building your water intake or writing a page a day in your journal, can train you to banish away those toxins.
They say it takes twenty-one days to make something a habit. If you believe you can stick with at least one of these tips for that long, then I'm already proud of you! But if you don't, then don't worry. The more you start pushing yourself to be your healthiest self, the more it becomes an addiction.
Tell me, do you already have a detox regime? Do you have ideas to add to this list? Or are you just starting out and looking for ways to detox? Share with me. I'd love to hear about your detox journey!
Be Well & Thrive!
With Love & In Health,
Sarah Outlaw, MH, MSACN
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