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It’s an unfortunate fact that we live in a toxic world. In fact, some statistics claim that the average person is exposed to over 700,000 toxic chemicals a day! That statistic just blows my mind π€― Check out this post for the EWG’s list of the top 10 toxic chemicals to avoid.
These toxic chemicals can cause everything from hormonal imbalances to cancer, not to mention respiratory and allergic reactions. For example, I remember cleaning our bathroom when we were newly married with Scrubbing Bubbles Foam. I would start sneezing and wheezing after spraying it, and my eyes would water. I finally wised up to the fact that what I was using to “clean” my bathroom was toxic!
While we can’t completely avoid toxins, there’s a lot we can do (like switching to non-toxic cleaning products!) to not only reduce the number of toxins that we’re exposed to but also to rid our bodies of the ones we do come into contact with.
Check out 10 easy ways that can help rid your body of toxins and help you stay healthy in a toxic world!
1. Get plenty of greens in your diet
Green smoothies, juices, powders, salads, cooked greens, etc. are all great ways to get greens into your diet daily. The chlorophyll, phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals all act as potent detoxifiers in the body and help protect you on a cellular level. The more variety of greens you can get into your diet, the better! These can include spinach, romaine, collards, swiss chard, butter lettuce, cabbage, arugula, cilantro, parsley, etc. Make sure to buy your greens organic! Conventional produce is sprayed with herbicides and pesticides (and many are genetically modified) – the very toxins we are trying to avoid!
2. Rebound
I love our mini trampoline and try to jump as often as I can! The gentle bouncing of rebounding helps to detoxify the lymphatic system by improving blood flow and removing waste from it. Try bouncing for just 10 minutes a day while you’re listening to a podcast or watching your favorite show. It’s also a great cardio workout and helps improve bone density while being easy on your joints π
Here is the one we use and love!
3. Infrared Sauna
Studies show that infrared saunas are a boon for overall health and wellness. Unlike traditional steam saunas which heat the air around you, infrared saunas use infrared lamps to help heat your body from within. This helps the body’s circulation, which in turn helps everything from muscle recovery to chronic fatigue and inflammation. And sweating, of course, is one of the best ways for the body to rid itself of toxins!
If you don’t have the luxury of owning your own sauna, simply google ‘infrared sauna near me’. Many cities now have wellness centers and spas that have infrared saunas. Here is a popular chain with many locations!
4. Dry Brush
Dry brushing is the simple technique of using a stiff bristled brush to brush the skin, starting from the feet and working your way up to the heart. This process helps to stimulate the lymphatic system, increase blood flow, remove dead skin cells, and even improve the appearance of cellulite! I like to do this before hopping in the shower. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to detox on a regular basis! Here is the one I use.
5. Exercise
Moving your body on a daily basis in one of the best and easiest ways to detoxify! It gets your heart pumping, your blood flowing, and helps you sweat (see above π). It also improves sluggish digestion (see #8), which is essential to detoxifying.
They say the best exercise is the one you’ll do! Try to get a combination of cardio, strength, and stretching throughout the week, and opt for low impact exercises. Great options include:
- Walking
- Yoga
- Strength Training
- Pilates
- Aerobic workouts
You don’t need an expensive gym membership to get fit! YouTube has a TON of free workouts, so don’t let $ be an obstacle! Just lace up those sneakers, and get moving πββοΈ
6. Take Detox Baths
Soaking in a detox bath is a great way to not only relax but also to remove toxins from your body. Here’s my recipe for the ultimate detox bath (which is also super relaxing):
- 2 cups Epsom salts (contains minerals like magnesium which help draw out toxins from the body)
- 1/2 cup baking soda (has an alkalizing effect which helps the body to detox)
- 1 cup Dead Sea salt (Dead Sea salt can help detoxify the body through a process called reverse osmosis, which occurs when salt and toxins are pulled out of the body and magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride, sodium, and bromide enter the body)
- 1 teaspoon Vitamin C crystals (Adding vitamin c to your bath water can help neutralize chlorine and chloramine)
- 5 drops lavender, frankincense or rosemary (these oils are relaxing and detoxifying and will make your bath smell like a spa)
7. Detox Teas
Drinking detox teas on a regular basis is a great way to aid the body in getting rid of toxins. The roots, herbs, and stems of the plants used in detox teas help to stimulate the liver (the body’s primary detox organ!) and flush out toxins from the body.
Look for teas made with organic herbs and plants, such as:
- Burdock root
- Dandelion root
- Juniper Berry
- Yellow Dock Root
- Red Clover Leaf
Two of my favorite are Yogi Detox Teas and Traditional Medicinal Everyday Detox!
8. Poop Everyday
It had to be said! If you’re not pooping every day, you are holding on to toxins, which can get reabsorbed into your bloodstream causing all sorts of health issues, including autoimmune problems. We don’t want that! We want those toxins eliminated from our bodies on a daily basis. So make sure you are regular and go everyday!
If you struggle with constipation, here are a few tips:
- Eat plenty of fiber
- Drink plenty of purified water (otherwise all that fiber will get stuck!)
- Try taking a magnesium citrate supplement at bedtime
- Pour a small amount of castor oil into your belly button and gently massage into abdomen. Do this before bed. The castor oil can do its magic while you sleep and help you go in the morning.
- Try Smoothe Move Tea (not meant to be taken long term but can really help get things moving!)
- Try a Chia Seed Fresca (add 1 tsp. of chia seeds to 8 ounces of coconut water) in the later afternoon or before bed. This concoction is great for removing waste that is stuck in your colon!
9. Get plenty of Sleep
Did you know that your brain actually detoxes at night while you sleep? This is why it’s so important not to be burning the candle at both ends. Studies show that deep, non-REM sleep is best for helping the brain to cleanse itself of toxins, including beta amyloid and tau, which have been linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia.
So hit the hay and get your Zz’s!
For better, deeper sleep, try these tips:
- Have an evening routine that includes calming activities, such as reading or a bath (this will signal the brain to wind down and prepare for sleep)
- Try diffusing calming oils like lavender or cedarwood
- Keep your room cool (no warmer than 68 degrees)
- Keep your phone on airplane mode and charge it on the other side of the room while you sleep
- Try a relaxing cup of tea with herbs that help with sleep. I like this one and this one.
- Use black out shades or a sleep mask to block out all light.
- Try a magnesium glycinate supplement which helps promote relaxation and deeper sleep.
10. Switch to Non-toxic Products
Cleaning, laundry, personal care, skincare, and cookware are all categories where toxins could be lurking (check out my Detox Your Home Room-by-Room post to learn which ingredients to avoid!). Switching to non-toxic versions in each of these categories will go a long way in helping you avoid unnecessary toxins and protect you and your family’s health.
*Bonus
After doing these 10 things, if you still feel your body needs additional detox, adding specific supplements can be very helpful. Here are a few to consider:
- Mag07 – Made with Oxygenated Magnesium Oxide, this is a clinically effective form of magnesium for constipation relief (see #8)
- Milk Thistle – This herb has been used for centuries for cleansing the liver and detoxing the body
- N-AC (N-Acetylcysteine) – This is an amino acid that enhances immune function and helps detoxify the liver and kidneys
- Chlorella Tablets – Chlorella binds to heavy metals as well as other toxic substances in the bowel and helps with the detoxification process.
- Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) – Helps to detoxify the blood, improve cellular health, and rid the body of heavy metals
