Detox Your Body in Four Simple Steps
Toxins. The mere word can stir fear in any person trying to stay healthy. Hundreds of toxins are found in the environment and our food, from the poisonous venom of a rattlesnake bite to the mercury levels in the fish we eat. Even the most conscientious of us accumulates toxins in the body. And as they accumulate, we’re left tired, bloated, and prone to sickness. We’re also left in need of detoxification.
Detoxification is the process of making lifestyle changes in order to rid the body of harmful toxins. But that’s easier said than done. Detoxing requires a change in behavior over a period of time, with a goal of improving overall lifestyle. It’s not a quick fix; you must embrace the change.
Here are four starter steps to follow as you begin your detoxification:
Change Your Eating Habits (A Detox Diet)
Many toxins enter the body though poor food choices, so taking steps to ensure your diet minimizes toxin intake is imperative. Yes, this will take a little research, but it pays off over time.
Start by making a menu of foods that don’t contain toxins and foods that help remove existing toxins from the body. These should include vegetables like beets and asparagus, fruits such as blackberries and grapefruit, and legumes—lentils and chickpeas are good choices. Also opt for whole grains and healthy fats like avocado and coconut oil. Above all, avoid processed and refined foods and saturated fats, which add toxins to the body and sabotage your detox diet.
Adopt a Daily Workout Routine
Exercise is a vital part of any detox, since it helps set your body in motion to do the things it is created to do naturally—including removing waste from the body. As you move your body, your heart rate rises and both blood and lymph increase circulating. All this movement helps other organs, such as the liver and kidneys, do their job of cleansing the blood and lymph by filtering out the toxins.
The respiratory and digestive system are also engaged with regular exercise, improving their function. And as you lose weight, your body sheds fatty tissue where toxins are often stored.
Enjoy a Hot Bath or a Sauna
Want to sweat it out? Raising the body temperature helps to improve blood flow, which in turn aids the removal of toxins from both the skin and organs. Sweating releases toxins that have accumulated in fatty tissue, including sodium and lactic acid. These fat-soluble toxins and chemicals are released from the body through perspiration, effectively cleansing the body. So by enjoying a nice long soak in your hot tub or sauna, you’re also purifying the body, releasing toxins along with the stress.
Exfoliate Your Skin
The skin is our largest organ, and it is constantly exposed to toxic elements. Exfoliating using a delicate scrub is an effective way of cleansing pollutants and dirt from the skin as well as removing the toxins accumulated from your diet through the pores. According to the Dove® Brand1, how often you exfoliate depends on your skin type, varying from once per week to three to four times per week. Just remember, after exfoliation it is imperative to re-hydrate the skin using a good quality moisturizing cream.
A lifestyle change is never easy, but these steps can simplify your summer detoxification and set you on the path toward more healthy living in the future.
Learn more about how to detox to get your body summer-ready, then reach out to your local Jacuzzi® dealer to discuss ways you can “soak up” a healthier lifestyle.