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The Do's And Don'ts Of Detox

by Jennifer Regis

February 1, 2022 584 views
 

The Dos and Don'ts of Detox

by Jennifer Regis

 

We hear about detoxes and cleanses all the time. They have become so mainstream we may feel like we're doing something wrong if we haven't tried one. The truth is they aren't right for everyone, and they can even backfire. The key to reaping the benefits is finding what works and doesn't work for you.

  • DON'T feel like you have to do a detox or cleanse.

We are regularly exposed to pollutants, pesticides, ultra-processed foods, chemical preservatives, and animal products with antibiotics and growth hormones. The good news is that our bodies are designed to filter toxins. You don't need to do a cleanse or detox to be healthy. 

 

  • DO chose a method that is right for you.

There is no one standard cleanse or detox program. For some, it means pressed juice only, and for others, it means cutting out things like caffeine, processed or refined foods, sugar, or animal protein. Pick and choose from various plans to create a program that feels right for you.

 

  • DON'T do it for the 'gram.

We may see influencers or celebrities promoting supplements "guaranteed" to help us lose weight or heal disease. They are likely paid to promote these. Listen to your body and find your way beyond the misinformation and subliminal advertising.

 

  • DO include green veggies. 

Chlorophyll, the compound in plants that makes them green, is beneficial to the liver and enhances its ability to detoxify. Incorporating chlorophyll-rich foods like green vegetables, seaweed, and micro-algae can help any detox program.

 

  • DON'T use store-bought juices.

Pressed juices and coconut water have a shelf life of 24-72 hours before the beneficial nutrients degrade and living enzymes die and just become bottled fructose. If you opt for a juice cleanse, make them yourself or buy them fresh.

 

  • DO drink plenty of water.

Staying hydrated helps the kidneys flush out toxins through your urine. If your urine is pale yellow, you're drinking enough water. Water can also help the liver to produce enzymes to improve digestion.

 

  • DON'T focus on what you can't have.

Even the thought of being restricted might have some of us experiencing intense cravings. Where the mind goes, the energy flows. Instead of concentrating on what not to eat, focus on what you get to eat and how you want to feel. 

 

  • DO prepare.

No matter what kind of detox program you choose, be sure to have everything you need and a plan to proceed through the process. Preparedness trumps willpower every day of the week.

 

  • DON'T engage in strenuous exercise.

Detoxes generally don't provide the extra fuel needed for exercise or materials required for recovery. A healthy cleanse requires us to slow down and reset. Exercises like yoga and stretching can enhance blood flow through organs if you need to move. 

 

  • DO use this time to reconnect with your body.

Pay attention to eating again, savoring new flavors and textures. If you pay attention to it, even slicing a cucumber will give you a deeper connection to your food and awaken your senses.

 

  • DON'T compare your journey. 

Detoxification depends on the prior state of your digestive health and the pace you progress through your cleanse. You know yourself better than anyone else. Trust your body and trust your instincts.

 

  • DON'T use a detox or cleanse as a way to go back to bad habits.

Some of us get stuck in the trap of bouncing back and forth between a cleanse or detox and bouts of overindulging. Detoxes and cleanses are all about ending erratic, unhealthy eating and rebooting and resetting your metabolism. Use them as a gateway to a healthier diet.

 
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Jennifer Regis
Just a Black *ahem* geriatric millennial embarking on her second act as an essayist and poet. Musings from the Uncanny Valley served up fresh.

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