How to Create a Daily Detox…..
By: Melissa Schollaert, RDH, HHC
Spring is a time of renewal and refreshment. It’s usually a time where we doing some “spring cleaning” around our house, yards, and cars. We also usually begin to enjoy being outdoors more, increase our exercise and start to crave lighter, and typically healthier foods, such as salads and smoothies. We naturally start an internal spring cleaning. This is essential because we are surrounded by chemicals, air filled with metal, and foods containing pesticides. Our beauty and cleaning products contain chemicals, which can all end up leading to a toxin burden within our systems. Yuck, right?? And we know this toxic burden brings fatigue, breakouts, unwanted weight, mental fog, makes us sick, gives us dull hair, and more. Well, no worries friend. I’m going to give you a few practical tips to make each day and internal spring cleaning that will translate to the outside as well.
1. Start your day with warm water with a squeeze of lemon. This will “wake up” the digestive system and alkalize your system. It’ll help clear up your skin, aid in weight loss and act as a diuretic to flush out any bloating. Want to kick it up a notch? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
2. Ditch the coffee. Coffee puts heavy burden on your adrenal hormones (essential for energy), acidifies the system, and dehydrates you, leaving you exhausted and looking old. It’s also full of pesticides. Switch to an organic antioxidant rich (think young, beautiful, energetic) herbal tea, such as yerba mate.
3. Dry skin brush every day. It clears the skin of debris, promotes circulation, assists in movement of lymph and waste removal, and helps with pesky cellulite. Look for a natural-bristle brush at a health food store. Aim for two minutes of circular scrubbing and give those dimply (toxic) areas some extra attention.
4. Sweat each day. Now that your skin is opened up, break a sweat to assist your body in its big job of daily chemical removal. If you’re too tired to exercise, hit the sauna, steam room, or take a hot bath. Do what you must to sweat. You will feel the difference.
5. Finish your morning shower by alternating between water temperatures as hot and cold as you can stand. The technique increases circulation, which in turn flushes the lymphatic system, keeping you healthier by boosting the immune system.
Finally, if you’re feeling like you need a deeper spring cleanse, please seek the guidance of a professional Holistic Health Counselor, Naturopath or Integrative doctor. A professional will be able to assist you through your cleanse to be sure you get optimal results, as well as help guide you through any side effects or symptoms. Because we are all so different, a health care professional will also be able to make the best recommendations for you with regard to your health and lifestyle.
Melissa Schollaert is a Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor and founder of Real Nutritious Living. She's been an on-camera expert for ABC, NBC, and GoodDayLive, with her writing published on a number of healthy living and nutrition websites. She also teaches cooking classes and workshops at Whole Foods and various other retail outlets. She’s an avid yogi, always improving surfer, and a firm believer in faith, love, and the healing power of green juice. She’s got a heart for helping others achieve their health goals to attain their healthiest happiest life. Check out her website, Follow her blog, “Like” her on FaceBook, and enjoy tips and tweeting here.
