Is social media making you feel like you need to detox or cleanse your body of nasty germs, parasites, and diseases? Are you searching for ‘how to detox your body and mind’ on google or simply looking for a refresh?
Well, if you have said yes to any of these questions, this is just the right stop for you.
But first things first.
While this buzzy ‘detoxing’ trend might sound like a new thing, it actually isn’t. The methods of cleansing have long existed to lose weight or get rid of unwanted substances and germs out of your body.
However, (drumrolls) the human body does a pretty good job at detoxing itself regularly. You don’t have to opt for a crazy regime to do that. We, humans, have a pretty well-functioning detox system in our body that works GREAT on a cellular level. So if you are treating your body nice and well, it will to a great extent, detox naturally.
That said, you can always do things to optimize the body’s detoxing system. But don’t get scared of all the detoxing fads you listen to online. This rarely requires those drastic dietary and lifestyle changes.
To help you get started, we have curated a list of easy and less intimidating solutions to ‘how to detox your body and mind.’
How to detox your body naturally and safely?
1. Take A Glass Of Warm Water With A Squeeze Of Lemon
A glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon is a great way to start the day. This remarkable concoction can help the body rid itself of pollutants.
Add grated ginger to the mix for even more excellent results. Ginger and lemon work together to improve digestion and speed up metabolism. To get the most out of detoxing your body and cleanse, make sure you consume it on an empty stomach. This is one of the most potent home remedies for detoxing your body.
2. Limit alcohol.
This is one of the most integral steps if you want to know how to detox your body naturally.
If you are consuming alcohol regularly, you will be falling behind on the body detoxification process. Alcohol and all its byproducts are toxic to the human body.
When you consume alcohol, the liver works in high gear because it is the primary organ responsible for processing alcohol.
The problem with this is that when you regularly consume alcohol, your liver is busy trying to clear it from your system. This way, it is less available for other types of toxins. Additionally, in the long term, consumption of alcohol can damage the liver. This will lead to an even further reduction in your body’s natural detoxification abilities.
3. Prioritize sleep
Sleeping is EXTREMELY important. However, there are no exact hours of sleep that will make you feel better. This varies from person to person. The general consensus, however, says that at least 7-9 hours of sleep is good for the human body.
As per a study by Andy R. Eugene, the brain undergoes physiological changes during the state of sleep. The cognitive rest your brain gets while sleeping helps aid in getting rid of the toxins. The glymphatic system is assigned the task of clearing toxins in the brain. Adequate sleep is required for the proper working of the system and the drainage of toxins.
4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
It’s critical to stay hydrated all of the time. Water is required by the body to generate saliva, assist with sweat, and remove waste.
Drink about 8-10 glasses or 2.5-3.5 liters of water throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you at all times and drink and refill it whenever you get the opportunity.
5. Focus on your nutrition.
As per a study by Leonie Elizabeth and team, the intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with:
- type 2 diabetes,
- obesity,
- cardiovascular diseases, and
- an increased risk of mortality.
Ultra-processed foods are the ones that contain different types of additives and preservatives. The more of these foods (think of hot dogs, packaged cookies, fast foods, etc.) you have, the more at risk you are of hindering your body’s natural detoxification abilities.
In simpler words, when you cut down on ‘junk’ food, you are, in fact, performing a ‘detox’ for your body. Moreover, eating foods low in mercury and washing fruits and vegetables before consuming might aid in natural detoxification.
6. Sweat it out.
This is a hugely debated advice amongst wellness experts and doctors. Still, sweating may be helpful in natural detoxification because your integumentary (just a fancy name for skin, nails, etc.) system is responsible for removing waste from your body.
Adding to this, light exercise and movement might promote proper bowel functioning, further aiding toxin release from the body.
How to detox your mind from negativity?
When we think of detoxing, we naturally imagine hydration, relaxing baths, and much more. But in the truest sense, detoxing is much more than that. Detoxing is the process of purifying yourself from toxic substances. And it is as much applicable to your mind as your body.
Yes.
Just as our bodies need to detox regularly, so do our minds.
Detoxing your mind and cleaning it off negativity starts with identifying what your toxins are. Think about it for a while. What is it that keeps you awake late at night? What is it that has been stressing you out lately?
Your toxins can be anything – from negative thoughts about ourselves to those draining relatives we can’t get rid of. A TOXIN is anything that is sucking your energy and blocking you from being your best self.
Now that you might have probably identified your potential toxins let’s get to the ‘how’ of the process. How to detox your mind from negativity?
Here are some easy steps you can take to cleanse your mind. We promise they are not as extreme as completely off the grid.
1. Surround yourself with encouraging words.
Positive self-talk is way more important than you can imagine. The way you talk to yourself matters. You may not realize it, but talking to yourself significantly impacts your self-esteem and confidence. The words you say to yourself shape you into the person that you are.
So buy that phone case with an encouraging quote. Paste sticky notes on your mirror, reminding yourself of the good things about yourself. Place uplifting reminders on your phone, on the fridge, and just everywhere you can. Surround yourself with encouragement and positive words.
2. Try to find a creative outlet for your pain.
Instead of letting your negative emotions eat away at you, find a safe way to express your pain. Paint it. Dance it out. Journal it down. Sing it away. Try to use your pain to create something.
This has dual benefits. It will allow you to release your pent-up frustration. And the next time you feel overwhelmed, you can look at what you have created and remind yourself of your strengths and talents.
3. Stretch your brain capacity.
Start reading a book on a topic that intrigues you and learn more about it. Dive deeper into theories and issues that interest you. Try to develop a love for learning by indulging in things that naturally interest you. If not much, it will end up making you more aware of the world you live in.
4. Look at the sky.
Look at the sky in the morning or peak out during your lunch hours. If you are lucky enough to live in a place where stars are visible, stare at them for a while.
Why?
Because your world is not just the handful of people you meet, places you discover, and the things on your to-do list that scare you. And it is damn easy to forget about this. So let the sky be a reminder. When you look up and can’t see the beginning and end of the sky, remember that the world is infinite. And it is always moving. That means that even when you don’t feel like it, even when you feel like you are falling backward, you are growing.
Conclusion:
We hope these tips on ‘how to detox your body and mind’ will help you.
Along with them, meditation is a great way to cleanse your mind and rest your body. To know about the best meditation techniques, click here. To learn more about mental health and wellness, subscribe to Your Mental Health Pal.