It is quite a known fact that cleansing is one of the most essential steps towards attaining well-being. We live in a world where germs, pollution, dust and toxic substances co-exist. We inhale them every time we breathe. Processed and packaged foods contain a host of chemicals, trans fats, preservatives and artificial colors which increase harmful free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals are toxins and can cause a host of diseases. Our immune system is constantly working to eliminate these free radicals. Sweating is a natural way of eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins are also flushed out from our body through urine. However these are more natural ways of how our body detoxifies itself.
Detoxification is a process of eliminating free harmful free radicals in the body. The thumb rule of detoxification is to stay away from chemicals and be as natural as possible. The Ayurvedic way is the best way and there are many different treatments such as Panchkarma but let’s talk about that in another blog.
Today we will talk about some simple ways that you can incorporate in your life and get the benefits of detox. Not only the process of detox cleanses the body but also the mind that keeps us alive and thriving. You don’t have to go anywhere or buy something to follow the process. All you have to do is, just make some lifestyle changes and that will change your body, health and mind.
If you have been struggling with skin issues, digestive problems, or fatigue, you might want to consider a body detox. Detoxifying allows your body to rest, refresh, cleanse, and nourish itself. There are many easy ways to naturally eliminate toxins and give your body the purification it needs.
I have put together seven natural ways to detoxify and cleanse our body. Let’s have a look:
Fasting
Intensive agriculture and modern food production methods contribute to our Western diet which is high in calories but low in nutrients.
When we combine this with food excesses, lack of physical activity, environmental pollutants and the pervasiveness of stress, we have all the ingredients to poison our bodies and slow down its natural functions. This dangerous cocktail forms the ground in which chronic diseases grow and thrive. This in turn creates the rising need for doctor’s visits, prescription pills and sometimes even surgery.
So, at a time when more and more people are complaining of declining health and vitality and are turning to natural medicines, I myself have experienced a purely natural, non-chemical approach that is scientifically documented and which has been proven over and over again to be effective – FASTING!
FASTING, which is the abstinence from all solid food (or lack of digestion) for several days, is undoubtedly one of the oldest approaches to eliminate toxins and regenerate our cells. It is a practice that has existed since the dawn of time and is a true “survival programme” which forces the body that is temporarily starved from external food sources, to draw on its own stored reserves.
FASTING is a great way to “REBOOT” our bodies. It is a natural “no-pills” approach to Cleanse, Rejuvenate, Rest, and Heal our entire Body Systems and Mind with very often immediate results on our general health and wellbeing. This “REBOOT” optimizes the function of our excretory organs (intestine, liver, kidneys, skin and lungs).
There are many different ways of fasting and also many other benefits. I personally have developed a huge growth in my spiritual journey. Let me know if you are interested, we will talk about that in another post.
Kapalbhati
Air pollution, air conditioning, smoke and chemical emissions can cause serious problems and damage the lungs. The lungs consist of very sensitive alveoli. When dirt settles there, the elasticity, the absorption capacity and the removal of waste from those vesicles deteriorate. This can cause damage to change shape or lead to inflammatory processes. Prolonged exposure causes lung deterioration and permanent damage.
Kapalbhati is a cleansing process that clears the respiratory system by helping release toxins from the respiratory system. It is said that doing 5 minutes of Kapalbhati is equivalent to doing 30 minutes of exercise.
This pranayama also cleanses the mind. ‘Kapala’ means skull, and ‘Bhati’ means light. The light in this context means perception and knowledge.
Kapalbhati is also mentioned in the ancient Yoga texts. Hatha Yoga Pradipika (the Hatha Yoga treatise written by Swami Muktibodhananda) and Gheraṇḍa Saṃhita (the most comprehensive book of all the books on Hatha Yoga written by Gheranda) , as one of the purification processes (shatkarma).
The process starts with short, explosive exhales, alternating with slightly longer, passive inhales. The exhales cause contractions in the lower belly, between the pubis and navel, pushing air out of the lungs. The inhales release the contractions sucking in the air into the lungs. These contractions and release of lower belly muscles massage the internal organs and help detoxify them.
The practice massages internal organs and improves kidneys and liver functionality. Also calms your mind and you sense a clutter-free lifestyle. With the detoxification, the skin and hair will improve radiantly.
This one personally is my favorite pranayama and I practice this almost everyday. From increasing your breathing capacity to help in weight loss, there are many other benefits of this pranayama.
Yoga asana
Besides hitting the gym and lifting weights, you should also engage in yoga practice, this not only relaxes your body but your mind as well. It enables your body to naturally cleanse itself and get rid of toxins that are residing in your body.
Yoga aids in the detoxification process by changing the structure of the fascia. Specifically, Yin yoga aids in this type of detoxification. Our lifestyle patterns (both sedentary and active) can induce structural and chemical changes in the fascia, resulting in fascia that becomes shortened and excessively cross-linked. Within this matrix, metabolic wastes can become trapped in the fibrous cells of the connective tissue, creating a dam against the free flow of nutrients and waste. When we practice Yin yoga, we begin to break down that dam, allowing waste from the surrounding muscle to exit, and fresh nutrients to flow in.
Unhindered flow is important for everyone, but especially for those with an active yang practice. Ashtanga and vinyasa are more yang yoga styles, which release toxins in the form of sweat.
During exercise, waste such as lactic acid and harmful free radicals can build up. If we do not take the necessary time to release the fascia surrounding the muscles that were just worked, all of the waste from exercise will not be properly cleared. Acutely, this type of build-up can lead to minor problems like muscle soreness. Chronically, the buildup of free radicals can have severe damaging effects on cells and can even ultimately lead to disease.
Yoga also provides flexibility and balance to your body besides regulating your breathing pattern, a crucial aspect of your well being. Practicing yoga also leads to better blood circulation which means more oxygen to all your vital organs.
Water
There are quite a few things that make water necessary to the human body, from cellular functions, to aiding digestion, and even improving concentration and exercise performance. You’ve probably even heard the recommendation to drink a certain amount of water every day (usually about 8 glasses or so), but what happens if you don’t drink enough?
Knowing how to stay hydrated with water is super important. Why? Well, largely because the human body is about 70% water and because we are continuously losing water through urine, sweat and even just breathing, we need to ensure we’re replacing that fluid so that our cells, tissues and organs can all function optimally.
Drinking ample amounts of water helps you keep hydrated along with keeping toxins at bay. Water is a solvent, which means that other substances can dissolve in it, which allows for their transportation between cells in the body. Substances like glucose (the body’s preferred fuel source) and amino acids (the building blocks of protein) dissolve very effectively in water, and use water as a carrier for them throughout the body.
Finally, water is essential to form many bodily fluids: tears, saliva, sweat, urine, and blood, amongst others. Water is also a highly effective lubricant for joints helping to produce synovial fluid and cartilage, which help keep joints healthy through smooth movements.
You may feel that the amount of water you are consuming is good enough for you, but if you want to detoxify with the help of water, you have to take your intake to a few notches higher.
Water has the capability to naturally flush out toxins from your body, which leads to clearer skin, healthy digestive system & other vital organs that thrive.
Meditation
Those busy thoughts that arise in your mind when you’re meditating are good things. Yes, You heard right!
Everyone goes through this when they meditate. Everyone.
You might think that a mind that won’t calm down is a lost cause when it comes to meditation, but you’re wrong.
I wanted to offer some consolation and encouragement for those who get discouraged by their meditation practice, wrongly assuming that it isn’t working.
If you’re struggling to meditate because there are ‘too many thoughts’ and you are so caught up in them, this is actually a sign that you’re on the right track.
Your mind needs to move through the thoughts that are lingering at the forefront in order to finally find stillness. This can be a long journey depending on the number of thoughts that need to be processed. The detoxification in your mind may require more time and effort. It can also be affected by your ability to cut through the ego-mind to stillness.
We all have a mind with thoughts fluttering around in it. It’s human. Don’t deny your humanity in search for something beyond. You can’t transcend by rejecting basic traits of yourself. You must embrace them.
Any meditation practice will include a phase of clearing, and you have to start somewhere. You can’t be expected to find enlightenment on the first attempt.
Incorporating meditation into your routine will give you the chance to unwind and get rid of stressors that can cause harm to your wellbeing. Taking time out of your day to let go of anxiety and tension will cleanse your physical and mental health! If you have trouble sitting still to meditate, try a form of yoga – the poses and breathing are a natural way to meditate and exercise at the same time and will detox your muscles and circulatory system.
Balanced and healthy diet
Feeling sluggish lately?
Most of the common diseases today, like obesity, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and high blood pressure, are Food and lifestyle-related. An unhealthy diet can also affect your daily life in terms of energy levels, sleep patterns, physical movement, skin, hair, vision, and also your immunity. Food has a profound impact on your health. Hence, it is imperative to understand the importance of having a healthy diet that can help heal the body.
Many foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants can assist your body’s natural ability to cleanse and detoxify itself. Not only can these foods help your body remove toxins, but they also provide nutrients that you need to lead a happy and healthy life.
You can add Broccoli, avocado, asparagus, grapefruit, kale, beet, spinach, spirulina and blueberries in your diet. I’m not a health expert but these are my favorites.
Opting for organic foods is a great idea, particularly when you are consuming fruits or vegetables without peeling them.
Regular fruits and vegetables contain a host of pesticides and preservatives that make them almost unsuitable to consume, especially their skin.
The long-term idea is to actually replace one meal of your day with a detoxing smoothie. While you can start with just including a smoothie in your diet, you have to aim to minus one meal from your day, every day. This is definitely not an extreme step and will cause you all the good and no harm.
Get sound sleep every night
Proper and sound sleep is a crucial step toward detoxification and wellness. Sleep is not just a luxury act but an act meant for the survival of your body and mind.
Sleep deprivation causes much more harm than you can imagine. Insufficient sleep also leads to a weak immune system.
Try to get at least seven to eight hours of undisturbed sleep every night compromising on which can harm you a great deal.
Getting proper sleep helps you get rid of toxins in a large way – and it is quite an easy way, isn’t it?
Turn off your phone
Most of us are inundated with constant notifications. All those beeps and buzzes have an immediate impact on your mental and emotional state and a long-term impact on your health. A study that has been ongoing since 2015 — called the Do Not Disturb Challenge — asks participants to turn off their phones for 24 hours. What they have found is that many participants immediately notice that they feel less stressed with their phones off. So much so that two-thirds of participants decide to make turning off their phones a regular practice and after two years maintained a lower propensity for distraction and stress.
Why not challenge yourself to 24 hours without your phone? If that feels too difficult, you can start by turning your notifications off (I do this one personally). Another recent study shows that just hearing your phone buzz immediately hurts your productivity. If you want to detoxify your body and mind, you can start by trying to keep your attention on what’s actually important to you instead of your phone. Let me know how it goes?
If you’ve come this far, then you must be really interested in knowing more so here’s a Bonus for you.
Try adding any detox drink in your routine : Check this post and make your own favourite detox drink!
It was a lot I know but if you enjoyed reading, let me know your thoughts in the comments. Each topic we discussed today can be explained in detail. I have so much to share with you but i wanna know what you guys are interested in. So let me know what you think.
I’ll catch up with you soon with another amazing post,
With So much Love and Light,
Pal
Thanks to the author for a useful post and motivation!