4 Mins Read
It’s January and we have all over-indulged over the holidays. Our natural instinct is to want to detox and cleanse our body of all the excess. That being said, many of us don’t have the time (or budget) for a spa getaway. Not to worry! Green Queen has put together this handy guide to detoxing at home so you can turn yours into a health & wellness hideaway!
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Fill a large mason jar or water jug with fresh mint leaves, cucumber and lemon slices. Sip this throughout the day. If you have a sweet tooth, add a fresh vanilla bean. You really should be imbibing two to three litres of good quality water a day. Make sure you are not gulping the water down- don’t overload your kidneys, allow your body time to hydrate itself. Ideally, use mineral water or filtered water with a pinch of high mineral salt (like himalayan pink or celtic sea salt) – avoid distilled water, it actually dehydrates you!
Cut Out The Crap
No processed foods, no sugar of any kind, no alcohol, no hydrogenated cookings oils, no caffeine- we all overdo it with these body stressors, especially during periods of celebration and periods of stress. A cleanse should be about feeling relaxed and limiting excess.
Digestion Congestion
Stick to cold-pressed juices, broth, soups, mashs and purees to give your digestive system a break. Avoid hard to break down proteins like red meat and poultry, bloat-worthy legumes, beans and pulses, yeasty baked goods or fructose and pectin heavy fruits (they can get stuck in your digestive system and cause blockage due to the fermentation of the fruit alcohols).
Be Intolerant
Take a few days off from anything that causes irritation, bloating, gas, tiredness or any other foods that you know you are intolerant to such as: soy, corn, nuts, dairy, gluten, yeast, nightshade vegetables (potatoes, chili peppers, bell peppers, eggplant and tomatoes). What you cut out is different for everyone.
Clear The Air
Your lung health is vital for your body to work optimally. The better you are at breathing, the more oxygen all your organs get. Transform the air in your home by doing the following:
1) Invest in a good quality air purifier.
2) Have an essential oil diffuser going with a cleansing, clearing and soothing oil like eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary or lemon (make sure it’s a good quality essential oil- don’t skimp there). Make sure you have this burning at least 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours before bedtime.
3) Ensure the humidity levels in your home are optimal. In the summer we all use dehumidifiers due to the excess moisture but in winter, we forget to adjust for the extra dryness that can wreak havoc on our skin, our hair, our lungs and our energy levels. You can leave a bowl of water in the corner of all the rooms in your home or you can get yourself a humidifier.
Get Some Epsom Into Your Life
Epsom salts AKA magnesium chloride have a host of health benefits but what they are best at is improving circulation- this boosts elimination, blood flow and cell regeneration, all of which are important parts of the detox process. Put 1 cup of Epsom salts into a hot bath and soak for at least 20 minutes (water should be very hot but not scalding, add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to the water too) or make a revitalizing body scrub with 2 to 4 tablespoons epsom salts mixed with 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil and gently rub all over your body (avoid the face and hair), then rinse in a hot, steaming shower.
Go To Sleep School
For three days in a row, make it your mission to get 8 hours a night. Reset your sleep habits: your bedroom should be totally dark- this means using ducktape to cover all those blinking alarm lights, TV power switches, etc. All your electronics (phone, iPad, kindle, computer AND their chargers) need to be IN ANOTHER ROOM! Burn a soothing essential oil for at least an hour before bed time and read a book rather than a screen. Candlelight is also a great way to soothe your mind and senses.
A previous version of this post was published on Sassy Mama Hong Kong.
Photo credit: Mundoo, Exotissimo Travel and Jagrap via photopin cc.
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