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If you hear the word 'detox' more nowadays than you used to, it's probably because it has become all the rage in the health world. You may be asking yourself what detox is good for and if there are ways to detoxify that do not a strict regimen or too much effort. Well, we are here to fill you in on detoxification and some easy ways to do it!
Detoxification, or cleansing our bodies of all the harmful toxins and chemicals were are exposed to each day, is now more important than ever. Our environments are more polluted, our lives depend on technologies that emit radio waves, and most of our diet is based on processed foods. Detoxifying means adopting a certain method, be it through juices or a good sweat that will remove some of these toxins so that they won't affect us so seriously down the line.
The main sources of toxins, for you to be aware of, are water and air, ground and soil, synthetic materials and even stress! In short, it could serve all of us well to detox at least once a month, if you are in the proper state of health.
So, now that you know a little more about detoxification, here's how you go about doing it.
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1. Hydration
One of the easiest ways to detoxify is simply by remaining hydrated. Every morning after you wake and every night before you go to sleep, drink 2 glasses of lukewarm water, a wedge of lemon and apple cider vinegar. This refreshing drink will refresh your internal organs, stimulate the liver and gallbladder, and kicks your digestive system into gear.
2. Sweat It Out
Sweating during exercise or in a sauna is one of the best ways to quickly clean your body of toxins. Sometimes, as you are exercising, you can even feel your cells breathing and cleanings themselves of all of the chemicals they are usually exposed to. Make it a point at least a few times a week to get your blood pumping for about 30 minutes.
3. Eat Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are some of the best for you out there and include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts. These yummy veggies contain phytochemicals which stimulate the enzymes in your liver that carry out the entire detoxification process.
4. Juicing
One of the most popular and hip ways to detox, juicing is a form of 'fasting' that cleanses your body of all the bad and replenishes it with all the good. Usually, detoxers will juice for a number of days (up to 3 or 4), or just for one day. There are even those that will drink a detoxifying juice just at one meal, although it is recommended to juice for the entire day without consuming solid foods. Consult with your doctor before pursuing a juicing plan to see that you won't do any harm to your body.
Here are some recipes for a typical juicing day or two:
Breakfast:
 Drink a cup of green tea with lemon
Then, prepare this smoothie.
1 cup water
1 tablespoon flaxseed
1 cup raspberries
1 banana
1/4 cup spinach
1 tablespoon almond butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Lunch:
1/2 cup almond milk
4 celery stalks
1 cucumber
1 cup kale
1/2 green apple
1/2 squeezed lime
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
1 cup pineapple
Dinner:
1 1/2 cups coconut water
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup mango
1 cup kale
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 avocado
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon of flaxseed
All of these smoothies can be prepared in a blender with ice if you'd like, although they are better digested at room temperature.
5. Detox Bath
Another popular and relatively easy way to detox is in a detox bath. Detox baths are meant to assist the body in eliminating toxins and to absorb the good minerals and nutrients in the water. They will surely leave you feeling refreshed and awakened as if you've grown new skin!
Begin by setting a date and time to do your detox bath. It is recommended to sit in a detox bath for no less than 20 minutes and no more than an hour. 40 minutes is the optimum because in the first 20, your body removes the toxins, while in the second 20 it absorbs the minerals.
Fill a tub with hot water, not too hot, but comfortable. If you have a chlorine filter use one in order to eliminate this chemical too.
Source: Wikihow
Then add some Epsom salt (also known as magnesium sulfate). Epsom salt can usually be found very inexpensively at a garden store or pharmacy. For people over 100 pounds it is recommended to use about 2 cups of Epsom salt, and not to use it at all if you are diabetic.
Source: Wikihow
Add about 1-2 cups of baking soda to the Epsom salt and anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1/3 cups of ginger powder or tea. If you turn red in reaction to the ginger, not to worry. This is just because the water is hot and the ginger also heats the body, causing you to sweat. If you are worried about this effect, just add less ginger to your bath.
Next, add aromatherapy oils for a nice fragrance (this step is optional). Lavender, ylang ylang, tea tree and eucalyptus oils are all recommended to maximize the detoxifying powers of the bath. Add about 20 drops of the oil (or mix a bit between them). You can also use fresh herbs like mint and chamomile if you have them available.
Stir all of the ingredients around in the tub and then set in and get ready to soak. Set a timer for 40 minutes and close your eyes while you sweat and cleanse. If you feel too hot, open the tap and add in a bit of cold water.
Getting out of the tub, you should be careful and get up slowly so that you don't feel dizzy or lightheaded. Once you have tried off and wrapped yourself in something warm (remember your body has been sweating and will cool down rather quickly), drink 2-3 glasses of water to give a final flush to the toxins.
A final tip: make sure that you keep your hair out of the water because the salt will dry it out.
Choose one or a few of these detoxifying methods and you are sure to be on the path to bodily cleanliness from the inside, out!
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