Master Cleanse, green juice detox, yoga cleanse, lemon water. Huh? How do I cleanse when my workload is so time consuming? Do I cleanse for a day? A week? A month?
We are always on the go and therefore, need to properly fuel our bodies. It’s much easier to grab a burger than to plan out a balanced meal and that is exactly why cleansing is important. But let me make myself clear: Cleansing should never replace healthy and balanced living.
Cleansing should be seen as a system reboot that should be implemented at least every three to four months. As the seasons change, so do the chemical process in our bodies, leaving toxic waste behind.
Why is detoxification and cleansing necessary?
When our bodies become “toxic,†it means that our bodily functions of flushing toxic chemicals – accumulated through stress, chemicals in food and environmental pollution – have exceeded it’s maximum potential of metabolizing itself. From our head to our toes and everything in between, toxicity makes us ill and moody!
How do you I know when it’s time to detoxify and cleanse?
You can usually tell it’s time for a reboot both inwardly and outwardly. You’ll begin to notice patterns of feeling “blah†and or you’ll see a difference in your physical appearance.
Here are some symptoms that may reflect a toxic body:
· Skin rashes and breakouts
· Chronic headaches
· Insomnia
· Persistent fatigue
· Muscle aches and soreness
· Food sensitivities
· Weight gain/difficulty losing weight
· Hormonal imbalances
· Constipation
· Irritable
· Sugar/carb cravings
· Change in body odor
· Short memory/ attention span
What’s the best cleanse for a busy professional?
The best cleanse is a cleanse that consists of proper nourishment. Cleansing is NOT ever equivalent to starvation. A cleanse should leave you feeling rejuvenated not drained and irritable.
Here are five detox tips to get you started:
1. For seven days, limit your dietary intake to veggies, fruits and water.
Omit dairy, meat, coffee, sugar, white carbs, soda and grains.
2. Eat detoxing foods like spinach, kale, ginger, onions, apples, chard, garlic, collards, pineapples, beets, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, oranges, blueberries, kiwis, cherries, cabbage and carrots. Play with different herbs and spices like cumin, turmeric, bay leafs, ginger and cinnamon to spruce up dishes and smoothies.
3. Replace coffee and or sugary drinks with cleansing herbal teas like dandelion, milk thistle, mint, and lemon balm. Enjoy infused water by adding cucumbers, fresh mint, lemon, limes and oranges, which also alkalize the water. Alkalizing balances your body’s PH and provides oxygen.
4. Prepare and plan your lunch in advance. If you bought steamed spinach and a green smoothie, make a commitment to stick with that.
5. Journal during the process. Find time to write down your feelings and note your physical and spiritual change. When cleansing is done correctly, it will lead to positive results that often lead to a more permanent healthier lifestyle.
With any dietary changes, do research. All cleanses and detoxing systems aren’t created equally. And every system reacts to change differently. For more information on cleansing contact me directly: Coachp@herbalosophy101.com
Coach P. is a Holistic, Nutrition and Green Living Coach. She is the chief editor of Lavish Green Life. In 2013 she founded Herbalosophy101– A holistic health and wellness practice that specializes in nutrition coaching. Follow her on Twitter @CoachPCare