Lately I have been hearing alot about detoxification. Not just from one place, but from many. People at work are doing a cleanse, someone at my committee meeting is doing a juice fast…the list goes on. Heavy metals, diet sodas…get it out. Get it all out. Sometimes the deluge of information makes me feel bogged down and confused. I don’t know where to start so I don’t start at all.
The following article arrived in my inbox yesterday in a Hungry For Change newsletter. It is, “Three Easy Ways to Clear Away Toxins Daily” by Carolanne Wright. I read it and they are in fact easy enough to do everyday, logical ways to detoxify simply. I bet if you added even one to your daily routine it would be beneficial. That feels sustainable to me and worth a try. Below is the article in its entirety. Enjoy.
Detoxification need not be something to dread as an expensive, complicated and exhausting ordeal.
A few quick, daily habits can flush out physical and emotional toxins gently and easily. Air, water and a brush are the magical trio that encourage a healthy body, sparking mind and balanced emotions.
1. Deep Breathing
Breathing usually is not something we think about since it comes so naturally. But a majority of people really don’t breathe correctly, especially in our fast-paced world. The breath tends to be constricted, shallow and stressed. This style of breathing deprives us of much needed oxygen — contributing to brain fog, fatigue and accumulation of toxins.
But this problem is easily solved with a bit of awareness, intention and a breathing technique called kapalbhati — “sparkling mind” in Sanskrit. The first breathing habit to cultivate is awareness of the breath. Most people only breath from the upper portion of the lungs, but we really need to draw air in fully with the diaphragm. Take a few moments through out the day to breathe deeply. By taking in more oxygen, tissues are effectively detoxified, the mind is clarified and the nervous system is calmed — leading to positive, emotional states. Next, the kapalbhati practice.
Here are the instructions according to Pure Inside Out:
Sit in a comfortable position with spine erect…Breathe normally for about a minute. Once composed, you can begin. First, exercise the diaphragm by exhaling suddenly and quickly through both nostrils, producing a “puffing” sound. Don’t focus on inhalation. It will be automatic and passive. This exercise should be done in three rounds, each consisting of 11 strokes (for the beginner).
2. Dry Skin Brushing
Dry skin brushing is another economical and easy way to detoxify. Dead skin cells are sloughed away, the lymphatic and immune systems are stimulated while toxin harboring cellulite is reduced.
A wide, long-handled natural bristle brush is all that’s needed. Begin with dry skin and brush in upward strokes toward the heart. The feet are a good place to start. Brush the legs, arms, back and abdomen. It takes only 5-10 minutes to brush the entire body. Make sure to enjoy a hot shower afterwards, drink a big glass of water and breathe deeply. Your happily purified body will thank you.
3. Hydration
Drinking water seems like such a basic action, yet dehydration is common. Drinking 2.2L of water (approximately nine cups) will flush out toxins throughout the day — helping to ease the stress put upon the kidneys and liver.
It is particularly important to drink plenty of water first thing in the morning as toxins have accumulated during the night. Adding the juice of half a lemon is even better as it helps to support the liver. Chinese medicine believes that the liver is the seat of anger while the kidneys are associated with fear — balancing these organs is important for emotional health. Purified water is crucial; otherwise we are simply trading one toxin for another.
Thank you Carolanne for the great ideas. Have a delicious weekend.
Tags: cleanse, compassionate eating, detox, Hungry for Change, plant based diet, trying vegan, vegan wannabe, Wake Up World
