Indulge in...
A Natural Detox
Are you trying to lose the few extra pounds you gained over the holidays? Perhaps your sleeping patterns are abnormal or you aren't feeling as rested as usual? Are you drinking more coffee in an effort to kick your sluggish mood? Is dry skin or dehydration an issue for you? Well folks, I have been dealing with all of these symptoms at one point or another recently...so I've decided it's time for a detox. Life simply won't slow down, but that doesn't mean I can't make time for a bodily refresh. I want to feel, look and be a healthier, sexier and more glowing version of myself. So here is a list of things I've added into my daily/weekly routine:
1. Drink more water. I like water, but I never drink enough of it. Part of the reason is because I find the taste of water to be downright boring. The other part is because I love drinking tea instead. So I've decided that I am going to consume at least 6-8 glasses of water per day. Adding a slice or two of lemon, lime or other fruit makes drinking water more appealing...but the fact that it's a primary way of flushing out toxins makes it worth every sip.
2. Breathe deeply. Maybe this comes a little more naturally to me...because my desire to punch someone in the throat during stressful times has taught me to sit back, relax and take deep breaths. Breathing deeper allows more oxygen into the body and helps eliminate carbon dioxide. It also helps you to be more relaxed, alert, not punch someone in the throat, and so on. It's definitely worth paying attention to.
3. Exercise. A lot of sources I've researched list 'exercise' and 'reduce stress' as two separate ways to detoxify the body, but to me they are one in the same. Exercise is one of my most efficient ways to reduce stress; by getting my blood flowing, increasing my heart rate and sweating out the bad stuff, I feel more energetic and focused. It affects my mind, body and soul...so I'm happy to start going to the gym again and cannot wait to get back on that rock wall!
4. Dry-brushing. This is a unique exfoliation technique that I've recently discovered. The goal is to remove dead skin, but it also increases blood circulation, enhances detoxification through the skin & helps keep it glowing. Using a natural bristle brush or loofah, move in a soft, circular motion starting with the bottom of your feet, working your way up to your chest. Once you're finished, rinse off and shower as usual.
5. Eliminate refined sugars, saturated fats, alcohol and caffeine. Uh oh! And just in the midst of restaurant week season! I'm currently not a big indulger of saturated fats or alcohol, but I do crave sugar and caffeine to a certain extent. That said, I'm starting to decrease my intake of sweets and main source of caffeine, coffee.
6. Fill up on fiber. Consuming foods such as brown rice, nuts, fruits & veggies are a good way to help cleanse the body; they boost the digestion process and provide you with many nutrients. I love rice, nuts & fruit, so my biggest challenge will be to incorporate more raw vegetables into my diet. Time to get creative!
7. Antioxidants rock. I mentioned here about many foods that are rich in antioxidants. Essentially, they help eliminate free radicals all while providing great side effects for the body. Green tea, for example, is a wonderful source of antioxidants and just so happens to be one of my favorite things to drink! You want to consume as many vitamins and minerals as possible...so the more antioxidants, the better.
8. Be positive. Transforming stress by exhibiting positive emotions really works (and is wonderful for the body), but it isn't always easy. I consider myself a pretty positive person most of the time, but I do think I could be a little less hard on myself. What do I mean? Well, instead of primarily focusing on my 'need improvement' areas, I plan to build myself up with positive affirmations every day. Pampering or spoiling oneself is different than uplifting oneself, and by doing more of the latter we can all better embody a truly positive persona.
“Love yourself—accept yourself—forgive yourself—and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things.”
-Leo F. Buscaglia
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