As a busy woman myself I've slowly added in some habits lately that are helping to serve my detox system and this in turn can help with feeling more energized! And we all want more of that don't we!
So I often get asked why do I need to do anything specific for detoxing? Isn't that's what the liver and kidneys do anyway? And I always answer Yes but....in our modern times we are more exposed to more and more toxins so this puts pressure on our detoxification organs. These toxins can be sneaky...pesticides, air pollution to fragrances.
So apart from reducing our exposure you can read about how to do that in my other blog Feeling Fatigued? Maybe it’s Your Toxic Load
We do need to up our detoxification game and today I've got 5 tips for you and look out for Part 2 for 5 more tips!
1. Elimination
It takes about 36 hours for food to transit though your digestive track...want to test it? Eat a tablespoon of sesame seeds or corn and check your poop to see when it comes out the other end! This is helpful because if you are constipated or your transit time is longer than 36 hours you maybe reabsorbing the toxins that are stored in the waste material waiting to be eliminated. I know you feel tired, bloated and sluggish if you are not a having a bowel movement of at least once a day (twice is good...of a well formed smooth sausage shaped stool).
So how can you make sure your are eliminating effectively? This leads me onto the next two points...
2. Fibre
Eating at least 5 cups of vegetables and fruit is the easy way of getting enough fibre into your diet but also add in wholegrains like buckwheat, amaranth and quinoa and legumes like chickpeas, black beans and lentils. These help move the everything through and form the stool. In the colon is where it absorbs your water which helps soften your stool ready for an easy elimination. This all helps to eliminate used up hormones, toxins like pesticides, bacteria and other pathogens.
3. Hydration
Drinking at least 1.5 litres to 2 litres a day is so important for so many functions in the body, but elimination of toxins is crucial. As I just mentioned water is used to soften the stool but is absolutely needed for good kidney function which is another organ of elimination. The liver is our main organ for blood cleansing and we all know the feeling of a sluggish liver the day after a big party!
Adding a 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (AVC) or a squeeze of lemon juice to your first water of the day or before each meal is a great way to assist your digestion.
4. Exercise
A lot of people don't think of exercise as a form of detoxification but it can help in two ways : healthy bowel movements and sweating!
Moving your body doesn't always have to be at a gym...go for a brisk walk, play soccer with your kids, dance around your living room, do a 7 minute workout (yes it's a thing! find an app and give it ago!)...but move for at least 20 minutes a day.
Getting a sweat up is also a fabulous way to eliminate toxins through our skin! We are meant to sweat which is why I advise against "anti-perspirants" choose a natural deodorant instead. Sweating can help eliminate heavy metals, BPA's and PCB's!
5. Detox Tea
Herbal medicine can be so easy in the form of a tea and a regular cuppa can do wonders for your body. Herbs to look for in a detox tea include: St Mary's Thistle (Silybum marianum) (has been shown to prevent damage to the liver as well as enhances the liver's detoxification process), Turmeric also has been shown to protect the liver. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is fantastic for liver or gall bladder inflammation. There are many other "liver herbs" Rosemary, Licorice, Green Tea, Ginger, Ginseng.
My favourite is Joi Tea's Detox Blend of Peppermint, Hibiscus, St Mary's Thistle, Ginger, Rosemary and Turmeric and yes I have it in stock at my clinic!
For more info on how the liver works you can read my other blog Busy Mums Liver Love
Putting it all together
I love to habit stack when looking to add something into my day then it doesn't feel overwhelming like "how am I going to fit another thing in!!" So habit stacking is where you add in a new habit on top of a habit you already do eg: If you already start your day with a big glass of water then add in the ACV or lemon juice to it...easy!
Let’s Habit Stack these 5 detox areas:
Get up in the morning…
- Have a big glass (500mls) of water with either lemon juice or ACV in it
- Boil the kettle and get your Detox Tea ready
- While the kettle is boiling either go and have a bowel movement or do your sweaty exercise (whichever comes first!!)
- Brew your Detox tea while you get your fibre rich breakfast ready: Green smoothie, Scrambled eggs and spinach or Bircher muesli
- Sit down to a yummy breakfast and cuppa tea or add your tea to your Keep Cup to go!
So there are many things you can add into your day to improve your detoxification pathways and look out for my Part 2 blog where I'll talk about tongue scraping, dry skin brushing, hydrotherapy, supplements and specific foods plus mindset.
If you are feeling like you are sluggish, exhausted, bloated and overwhelmed it's quite likely you are taxing your liver but there is a solution…Come and join us on our 14 Day Body Reset Cleanse Group Program…find out more here Not sure if your ready for a cleanse…then take my FREE Quiz…sign up here
