When it comes to ‘’detoxification.’’ you typically have two schools of thought. One group believes that our bodies are heavily polluted with all sorts of stuff that is making us sick and we must flush it all out; while the other camp states the body has several detoxification processes in place, and it is unnecessary to ‘’cleanse’’ it.
As for who is right, the truth probably lies somewhere in between. Our bodies are probably not the cesspools many believe they are. Yet they could probably use some help in disposing of the chemicals and other elements, we take in through the environment and our diet. Detoxification does not have to be extreme, and if you are not ready to forgo food completely or drink crazy concoctions, here are some more gentle methods that can put you on the path of permanent healthy change.
Elimination Diet
Food allergies and sensitivities can show up as more than rashes or swollen lips—they can affect our health on much deeper levels. If you have been feeling a big sluggish, or you have certain health problems you hope to address holistically, this is a good place to start. For a period of two to four weeks, eliminate the most common allergens from your diet, such as wheat and other grains that contain gluten, eggs, soy and dairy. On a related note, cut out processed carbs and sugar—while not an allergy issue, this is in line with cleansing the body of unhealthy substances. This type of diet intervention can serve as a reboot to your system.To determine whether common allergens affect you personally, you will need to introduce each item back to your diet one at a time to observe whether it affects you.
Beverage Considerations
As for what to drink, water is at the top of the list. Your body is made up of mostly water, and that right there explains much of its importance to your health. Copious amounts also help flush all the gunk out of your system. Fruit is also very cleansing and you can whip up your own healthy drinks in minutes with a blender, some water and ice. Drinks made from healthy greens are also a popular for detoxification purposes. There are many teas that contain herbs specifically known for their cleansing properties and are a great addition to any detox plan.
Yoga
Yoga is a great form of exercise to adopt during detoxification. It helps create a calmer mind and a feeling of balance and wellness—remember that your detox efforts are not just about the physical. Different yoga poses serve different purposes in the body, and while doing detox, focus on ones that promote healthy digestion, circulation and lymphatic drainage. Examples include wide-legged forward bend, three-legged down dog, open-side fierce, staff, spinal twist, head to knee and the locust. You can find a variety of websites that detail how to complete these poses.
Other Considerations
To help get through the detox period, it is important to give some thought to why you want to do it in the first place. This will help keep you motivated. To maximize your results, you may want to use a colon cleanser product, but make sure you follow instructions carefully and avoid any extreme measures. Make a serious effort to tend to mental and spiritual health as well through meditation and other means of connecting with your spirit and reducing stress.
About the Author: Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys blogging about all things health and wellness.
