If the ‘eat, drink and be merry’ holiday season has taken its toll on your wellbeing and your waistline, now is the time to get your system back into balance. Robyn Smith, Faithful to Nature founder, shares ten simple tips to help you detox after overindulging.
1 Drink lemon water
Lemons might taste acidic, but they actually have powerful alkalising properties. A cup of warm water with a slice of fresh lemon will instantly help to alkalise your body’s pH. A squeeze of lemon in hot water every morning also helps to kickstart your liver.
2 Ditch the coffee
Replace your morning cup of coffee with a cup of organic green tea. You will still get the caffeine kick you’re craving and a potent antioxidant boost that will strengthen your immune system and kickstart your metabolism.
3 Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Be sure to drink plenty of fresh water every day. This helps to flush out toxins, and will also keep your skin healthy and clear from the inside out. Invest in a water filter or reusable water bottle with built-in filter, to ensure that water you’re drinking is pure and free of harsh chemicals.
4 Embrace massage
A nice deep massage won’t just leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed; it will also stimulate your circulatory and lymphatic system, helping your body’s tissues to process toxins more effectively. Alternatively, a little self massage with a few drops of detoxing oils (such as coriander, grapefruit or juniper essential oils) added to some massage oil or an oil blend created to assist with detox. Great for shifting cellulite too!
5 Add some fibre
Sprinkle a little psyllium or digestive bran into your morning cereal or smoothie. A daily dose of fibre will help to bulk up waste material and make elimination easier and more regular.
6 Use a probiotic
The microbes will help to get your whole digestive track back in balance by getting rid of harmful bacteria and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. A healthy, happy digestive system is key to a well-balanced and cleansed body. Try a natural probiotic supplement, or enjoy more fermented goodies in your diet, like refreshing kombucha or tangy sauerkraut.
7 Sweat it out
Regular exercise is essential. Not necessarily a grueling gym session, but a summertime outdoor activity like hiking, swimming and jogging in nature. Any exercise will help you sweat out toxins while giving your digestion and metabolism a boost.
8 Get your beauty sleep
Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Without enough sleep your immune system and energy levels will take a knock, leaving you feeling sluggish and unhealthy. Lack of sleep also leads to unhealthy, irregular snacking as your body tries to compensate for low energy levels. Get enough sleep and try and stick to a bedtime routine, so your body gets into a natural rhythm.
9 Make a detoxing smoothie
Smoothies that are rich in fresh veggies and leafy greens will help to detox your system. Try replacing one meal a day with a fresh smoothie to reduce the toxic load on your digestive system. This ‘Mango, Avocado, Green Tea Smoothie’ is also great for weight loss: 1 cup green tea, 1 cup fresh mango chunks, ½ medium avo, 1 cup spinach, ½ Tbsp coconut oil, dash of sea salt and ½ tsp honey or stevia.
10 Meditate
While taking care of your body, don’t forget to look after your emotional and mental wellbeing too. Yoga, meditation or just some quiet time with a cup of herbal tea will help calm your mind and ease stress.
Before you start, make sure you read these 6 detoxing DOs and DON’Ts! If you’re looking for healthy dishes that don’t disappoint in taste, check out these 3 easy delicious detox recipes.
