IN FOR A PENNY | LISTICLES
6 Easy Natural Ways to Detox
Without fancy schmancy stuff — your wallet will be happy
A couple of days ago, I was at my dentist’s clinic. Just as he was about to get going with the dreaded drill, there was a power outage. It was a good thing it went when it did. We had to wait a little for the generator to kick in and to pass the time, we started chatting.
I must mention here that our family has been going to this dentist for over 15 years now. Somehow the topic turned to health spas and their ads for natural ways to detox. And these days, everywhere we look, there’s some product or other that claims to remove toxins from the body and help one stay healthy.
The discussion turned to the methods touted by some of the natural healers which involved fasting, liquid diets, and herbal medicine. Then we had a good laugh when he said that most of these approaches had no solid research-based evidence to show that they were effective. Some of the products recommended also have unpleasant side effects. Unfortunately, some herbal products do not need regulatory approval. So, what can one do?
The good news, however, is our body is quite the champ. Even better is the fact that there are simple ways we can make it easier for our body to do its job. For free, because natural is best. No need to go to an expensive spa.
Here are 6 Natural ways to detox that work for me.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. This does not replace medical advice. These suggestions are purely for information purposes. Please consult your doctor for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
1. Exfoliate
This was a surprising tip–at least for me. But then it makes sense, doesn’t it? Exfoliating the skin is the fastest and easiest way to get rid of dead skin. This in turn helps better circulation and the growth of new skin cells. The result? You glow, naturally.
My favorite kitchen-shelf exfoliating recipe is mixing chickpea flour, yogurt, and a pinch of turmeric in the consistency of a thick paste and gently scrubbing my skin with it, then rinsing it off. In fact, exfoliating your whole body is recommended.
For those of us who are too lazy to go through the motions of cosmetics, here’s an easy trick. Use a loofah when you bathe and scrub your body in a circular motion all over. This opens up your pores and says goodbye to dead skin cells, hello beautiful skin.
2. Breathe
I know this is a fundamental requirement to stay alive, but you’d be surprised at how you can learn to breathe properly. If you catch yourself holding your breath or sometimes tend to take short shallow breaths, practice breathing slowly and rhythmically to bring down your stress levels. Call it conscious breathing. And feed your body more oxygen in the process, to help it function efficiently and heal itself.
I like to do this first thing in the morning when I snooze my alarm once. Between that ring and the next, I take slow deep breaths. Tummy breathing here, people. Not chest. Watch your tummy rise and fall as you breathe in. Hold it for five seconds. Then breathe out slowly. After five minutes, I just stay in bed for the remaining ten, mulling over the day’s to-dos. Try it. It will change your life.
3. Stretch
Yes. Right out of your comfort zone. We already know that stretching helps the body and mind. If you are into yoga, even better. Together, stretching and yoga relieve stress and maintain muscle elasticity, facilitating blood flow and keeping your circulation healthy. Stretching at least twice or thrice a week is good. There are lots of good exercise routines online.
If you have any health issues please check with your doc to find out what’s safe for you.
4. Sweat
Not over the small stuff. The talk of sweating makes us wrinkle our noses, but it is great for the body as one of the natural ways to detox. So work up a clean sweat with any rigorous activity you enjoy. Or like me, vigorously cleaning the house. Or going on a really brisk walk. Or climbing several flights of stairs — which takes care of your cardio exercise, too.
As we sweat, the body gets rid of stored fluid, so make sure you drink enough water to make up for the loss. Practice working up a sweat for a week and drinking enough water to see noticeable results in the form of fresher skin, lower stress levels, and better sleep!
5. Minimize painkillers
Most painkillers, even Tylenol gradually cause liver damage. Our liver has the job of filtering toxins from the blood. By thinking twice before taking that painkiller, we can prevent it from working overtime while being kinder to our bodies.
6. Boost digestion with fiber and water
These salads, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. To keep our bodies functioning efficiently, fiber and water are vital ingredients. Both perform the role of cleansing our colon effectively.
The standard daily fiber recommendation for women is 21 to 25 grams and for men, 30 to 38 grams a day. Getting adequate fiber is critical as it keeps the digestive system healthy.
Aim for eight glasses of water per day, Besides filtering out toxins, water keeps us hydrated and ensures supple and healthy skin and joints.
And oh, bonus tip–smile a lot. Even a fake smile does wonders for our mood.
As you can see, it all boils down to sleeping well, staying active and stress-free, and eating healthy!
I’d love to hear what you have to add to this!
Thank you for reading! ❤
