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Post Holiday Detox
Janelle Sorensen
Thursday, January 01, 2009
As much as we promise ourselves we won’t over-indulge during the holidays (cue inner voice: “this time I really, really mean it!”), most of us are guilty of a bit of seasonal gluttony. Instead of berating yourself for succumbing again, take a more positive approach. Be thankful for what you are able to enjoy and balance your indulgences with the following rejuvenating practices. You might even consider making these the basis of a new family routine. Keep yourselves healthier by helping your body flush out the environmental contaminants you are exposed to every day.
• Sweat it out. At least three times a week (but ideally every day), work up a good sweat. Exercise is the healthiest thing you can do for your body for a variety of reasons, and when sweat comes out, toxins do too. No need to get a gym membership, make it simple family fun by taking a vigorous hike or bike ride together.
• Flush it out. Drink plenty of water every day, especially before, during, and after exercising (drop in a wedge of lemon for added benefits). Eat cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) and high fiber foods to keep your systems flowing.
• Love your liver. Your liver is your body’s toxin filter. Keep it healthy by limiting alcohol, caffeine, refined sugars, saturated fats and medication. Look into herbs or supplements to support general liver health. (Talk to your physician before starting supplements or herbs).
• Relax. Your mental well-being is inherently connected to your overall health. Stress slows down detoxification, among other things. Keep family stress levels low, so all your body’s systems are in prime working condition, by taking time to cuddle and read with your kids, or by doing yoga and meditation together.
• Breathe deeply. Oxygen is essential to cleansing and feeding your body’s cells. Whenever you think of it throughout the day, take some deep cleansing breaths to oxygenate your body.
• Soothe. According to Diana Carswell at the Washington Post:
“the body can efficiently expel toxins through the pores of the skin. To hasten this process, combine in a bath 1 cup of Epsom salts and 1 to 2 tablespoons of an essential oil, such as lemon, jojoba, rosemary or olive. The ingredients' stimulating properties naturally draw toxins out. (Just be sure to test the oil first to make sure you're not allergic by applying a small amount to the underside of your forearm.) Another option is to exfoliate the skin, which increases respiration and removes toxins. Combine 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tablespoon cornmeal and several drops almond oil with enough milk to form a paste. Apply by hand to the entire body (excluding the face) with gentle, circular motions. Rinse, then brush the skin using a loofah or sponge.”
Aaaaaahh…..These tips will not only help you detoxify your body, incorporating them into your daily life will also lead to greater overall health and happiness. Enjoy!
Note: While these tips are applicable to your entire family, more extreme detox diets are not intended for children or pregnant women.
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 01/05 at 12:36 PM
Nancy, the original Washington Post article about the baths didn’t mention a specific temperature range. I know hot baths can dry out skin and even pose health risks to people with certain medical conditions, so use common sense and ask your physician if you have any concerns.
Posted by Jessica on 01/06 at 10:11 AM
This is just the article I needed. After being away and in others homes that use toxic cleaners I feel a detox is in order!
Posted by Ruth R. on 01/07 at 11:10 AM
Thanks for these ideas! If you have access to a sauna, perhaps an infrared type, you can get a lot of detoxing from that. Since the liver is so important, I like to support mine with Alpha-Lipoic Acid and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) capsules every day, too.
Posted by katherine sumner on 01/07 at 11:38 AM
As a Holistic Health Counselor, I have clients who are always looking for ways to detox when January comes around, but I always want to make sure they don’t add more stress by overwhelming them with things to do as well as talk with them about not getting stressed about overindulging during the holidays instead embrace this time and learn from them .... your article was very information and concise - thank you for sharing!
Be well,
Katherine L. Sumner, CHC
Board Certified Health Counselor, AADP
Nutritional Consultant
kat4sumner@yahoo.com
Posted by Nancy on 01/02 at 10:05 PM
Great stuff! Love the bathing stuff…is there a certain desired warmth for the bath? (as hot as possible? or just warm?). I’ve also heard about wrapping up in sweats and getting under covers to to sweat out more after a bath.
I drink detox tea on a regular basis…hot in winter and iced in summer. That’s how I try to keep the toxins running through.