Ten Easy Ways to Detox or Cleanse

Are you feeling tired and sluggish? Maybe a little beat down? These are signs that your body is in need of a detox. Naturally our bodies have toxins in the bloodstream. The body does its’ best to get rid of these toxins, and while it works hard to get rid of them, it can be an uphill struggle – especially if you continue to put things in your body that contain toxins. Sometimes it just needs a little help to get clean and start feeling better.

When it is time to detox, you can do it naturally and safely. There are ways to eliminate the excess toxins in your body, and changing your diet is a large part of that process. Follow these ten easy ways to detox your body and start feeling alive and full of energy again.

Eliminate Processed Foods

As you begin to cleanse, the food you put in your body is paramount. If you are trying to get rid of toxins you can’t keep putting in new ones. Processed foods are often packed with sugars, sodium, chemicals and fats that the body can do without.

No Sugar

Sugar is truly addicting – it actually stimulates the release of dopamine which makes us feel pleasure. This is a difficult habit to kick, because the brain gets used to these feelings and begins to crave it. This needs to go, even if it’s just for a little while. Cleansing your body of sugar can get rid of toxins that are making you feel sluggish.

No Alcohol

Exposure to alcohol over time (even as a social drinker) can have an effect on the body. The liver and the kidneys, in particular, can be affected by alcohol use. And without those organs functioning properly, it will be even harder to get rid of the toxins in your body. If you drink, you will have to abstain from alcohol while you are cleansing. Your system must be totally clean to excrete toxins.

No Caffeine

Caffeine can cause dehydration. It can have an impact on kidneys because of its’ diuretic effect. This can also cause you to lose calcium. This detox can be painful, but as you rid yourself of caffeine you can reduce anxiety, restlessness, bloatedness and sleep deprivation.

No Flour

Removing gluten from your diet can improve the function of the stomach. As many as 1 in 3 people are sensitive to wheat, which means body has a hard time fully breaking down the wheat protein, and the starch that is not absorbed can create acid that damages the lining of the stomach.

No Dairy

Milk, cheese and all other dairy are off limits during your cleanse. Dairy can be extremely hard on the digestive system.  The hormones, steroids and antibiotics in cow’s milk need to be out of your system while you do a full detox. Look to thinks like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens to get the calcium you need.

Water

Drinking a lot of water is crucial. Water is the way toxins leave the body. It is vital to flush the system with water. You need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and as you change your diet and the toxins begin to break down, this water will help flush toxins out of your system.

Exfoliate

While diet is the largest part of a cleanse, there are other things you can do to get rid of toxins. Toxins leave your body in a variety of ways, including sweat through the skin. Using a dry brush to exfoliate can increase circulation which can move toxins away from vital organs.

Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

While it’s important to eliminate a lot from your diet to detox, you also need to replace the bad foods with pure, clean nutrients. A diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables are the best ingredient for a cleanse. Leafy greens, foods with a high concentration of Omega-3s, citrus fruits, and others can start to break down toxins that have built up in your system and start to push them out.

Exercise

We all know that exercise can help you lose weight, but we often forget that it also helps us lose toxins. Cardiovascular exercise that raises body temperature causes you to sweat out toxins. A good exercise routine also leads to better overall health and more energy, so you will have less temptation to start putting sugar and other stimulants back in your body. Yoga workouts are a great way to help your body sweat out toxins and increase your bodies flexibility.

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