10 Ways to Make Detoxing a Daily Practice

BY JEN CASEY

When the weather gets warmer and we come out of winter hibernation, we often feel the need to do a cleanse, or detox. We crave the feeling of cleaning out, fresh starts, and lightening up. The definition of detoxification is to remove toxic substances or qualities, which is what we essentially do to prepare for a new season. We detox around our home, our closet, our car, and often our diet. It feels great and leaves us with new motivation to set new goals and intentions. What we fail to remember is that we can keep the “clean out” momentum going by making detoxing a daily practice. Who says we have to wait until spring? After all, a healthy body, mind, and environment require attention 365 days a year. When we get too comfortable in any of these areas and overindulge, or fail to nurture what is most important, we start to feel symptoms like headaches, sluggish digestion, respiratory problems, rashes, hormone imbalance, brain fog, and lethargy. These arise from toxic overload—an abundance of chemicals we are continually consuming, slathering on, and breathing in. Many chemicals, even though they might be used in small amounts, can add up if they are being used on a daily basis.

JEN CASEY is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner with Bite Club Nutrition. She focuses on holistic, diet-free approaches to weight loss and balancing hormones through nutrition and lifestyle. Book a free 30-minute online nutrition appointment with Jen or one of our other nutritionists at naturesfare.com

Detox Daily

We can be proactive with our health and wellness by reducing the amount of toxins in our internal and external environment, before symptoms arise. Here are 10 ways to make detoxing a daily practice, every day of the year. 21 3CLEAN UP YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS: Your skin is your largest organ and what you slather on matters. Swap out any products you use daily (think toothpaste, cosmetics, cleanser, hair products, and moisturizer) for ones free from parabens, dyes, BPA, sodium laureth sulfate, petrolatum, and fragrance. CLEAN UP YOUR HOME AIR: Indoor air quality can sometimes be worse than outdoor air. Vacuuming and dusting regularly, opening windows, and keeping an abundance of house plants around can help clean up the air you breathe at home. Swap air fresheners and scented candles for pure essential oils and beeswax or soy candles.

CLEAN UP YOUR CLEANING

PRODUCTS: Pantry staples like lemons, vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, and eucalyptus make the best nontoxic cleaners. Focus on unscented laundry detergents, and swap out dryer sheets for felt dryer balls. You can add a drop of pure lavender or tea tree essential oil to the ball to naturally freshen up clothes.

4SHOW YOUR LIVER SOME LOVE: Your detox organ, the liver, needs love too. Include fresh cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale, plus antioxidant-rich foods like citrus fruits, dark berries, leafy greens, pumpkin, squash, and bell peppers. Set a fibre and water goal each day to help flush, and try to incorporate fresh herbs or 5 herbal teas into every meal. DECLUTTER YOUR MIND: Your thoughts can be toxic—from negative self-talk, to judgement, guilt, stress, and false beliefs. Try implementing a 5-minute daily journaling practice to set intentions and affirmations. Just before sleep, declutter your brain from the day with a “brain dump”, spending a few minutes clearing your thoughts and freeing yourself from the day’s events. A good sleep hygiene practice is to avoid checking emails, scrolling through social media, or watching television before bed.

6DITCH WHAT NO LONGER

SERVES YOU: In place of a “Bucket List”, try a “Forget It”, or “Let It Go” list. Who and what we surround ourselves with can be toxic to our mental health and cause unwanted stress. Once you recognize what these contributors are, be okay with saying “no”. 7MOVE EVERY DAY: Movement helps our blood flow, helps the toxins in our body find their way to our liver for processing, and keeps our stress levels down. If you can’t commit to larger, sweaty workouts, aim to move every day with short outdoor walks, stretching, and deep breathing to help clear toxins through the lungs. 8

SCRUB AWAY THE TOXINS:

Start a daily dry brushing practice, which helps to move toxins from your toes up to your lymph nodes for processing and detoxification. Add a gentle body exfoliant once a week (you can make one from sugar, coconut oil, and coffee grounds), to help slough off dead skin and open up your pores.

9READ THE NUTRITION LABELS: Make a point to turn around every product you buy so you can read the ingredients before you bring it home. Watch for added sugar and ingredients you 10 cannot pronounce, and also look for positive signs like fibre content and whole food ingredients.

REDUCE STRESS BY CREATING YOUR

ROUTINE: There is nothing more toxic than added stress in your life. As humans, we like rhythm and routine. When we “wing it”, we can feel unorganized and scattered. This can lead to busy thoughts at night that prevent us from getting quality sleep, and it can contribute to unhealthy eating habits. As a Holistic Nutritionist and Healthy Habit Coach, I encourage you to make a simple weekly meal plan, set a couple of micro goals for yourself, and create a routine that will reduce, not contribute to, added stress in your life.