We live in a toxic environment, the foods we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink are all laden with chemicals foreign to our system. Our body is designed to be self cleansing, but every so often, especially after the excesses of christmas, the body needs a helping hand to detoxify.
Detoxing doesn't have to be a chore, shake off the
winter doldrums by following our simple spring
cleansing tips below:
1
Start the day with a body brush before you shower, this kick-starts the lymphatic system and encourages the expulsion of toxins. Follow with
a brisk massage using a stimulating oil combination such as Pharmacopia's Ginger Body Oil to awaken the body and mind.
2
Your breakfast can be any plant food apart from those with a high fat content such as avacados or olives. We recommend 2 pieces of fruit, a fresh fruit salad or porridge, all with a cup of herbal tea.
3
Water, water and more water! Water is essential for flushing out the toxins and will also stop constipation - a common side effect of detoxing. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. A cup of warm water with a slice of lemon is particularly effective for cleansing. If that sounds a bit uninspiring why not try a flavoured herbal or fruit tea, there are some great flavoured ones around these days. We love Birt and Tang's Detox Tea.
4
Ensure your meals only contain the following food groups and where possible buy organic products as these dramatically decrease your exposure to pesticide ingestion. Fresh fruit (with the exception of grapefruit), fresh vegetables (with the exception of corn), rice (only brown or basmati), beans (green or yellow and lentils), nuts and seeds (avoid peanuts) and any fish.
5
Avoid the following food groups: Sugar, all dairy products, all products containing gluten, wheat or corn, alcohol, yeast and high fat foods.
6
Over the christmas and new year period your hair is subjected to an overload of styling products, heated appliances and dry smoky environments and so will be in desperate need of a detox too. We haven't found better than the HairFix release, revive and replenish 3-step program used by celebrity hairdresser Jonnie Sapong on clients including Naomi Campbell.
7
Toxins and fat often accrue in the body to form stubborn build ups externalised in the form of cellulite. These build ups can be broken down but are notoriously hard to eliminate without an intensive exercise and detox regime. For a quick fix Body Boutique's Wrap Factor Kit with cellulite cream has amazing results.
8
Baths are a great way to help the detoxification process. Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin. Try Pharmacopia's Ginger Bath Salts which contain powdered mustard to increase sweating for detoxifying effects.
9
For the final touch why not continue detoxing while you sleep with Mokus-Reflexology Footpatches. These nifty pads are stuck on the soles of your feet before going to bed and then draw out toxins from your body for up to 7 hours after. The best bit is seeing how much rubbish has come out of your body in the morning when they turn an icky brown colour!
10
Remember that detoxing is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. You must use it to complement a healthy whole foods diet, regular exercise, minimal alcohol intake and abstinence from tobacco use.
