Easy Daily Detox: 5 Detox Habits to Start Now

The New Year is a great time to reset and let go. After holiday indulgence, many of use are looking to detoxify and cleanse. Liver detox supplements are popular, and I’ve tried a few myself. But you don’t need to do a provoked detox, master cleanse, or use any supplements to get real results. With these 5 easy daily detox habits, you can get great detoxifying benefits without extra supplements or stress on the body. Following as many of these habits that you can on a daily basis will help your body release toxins, so you can head into the holidays feeling better and more resilient than ever!  

*This article should not be construed as medical advice, and cannot replace the guidance of your qualified health professional.* 

6 Detoxifying Foods to Add to Your Diet

Food fuels us, and the quality of what we eat can either help or hinder our ability to detoxify. Start withe detox-supporting foods to add a boost to your diet. The more detoxifying foods you can eat in a day, the better.

Hot Lemon Water for a Gentle Liver Cleanse

Hot lemon water is my morning staple! Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a well-known immune system supporter. Hot lemon water is also a gentle way to help stimulate liver detoxification and better digestion. Better digested food = happier gut. Bonus: wean yourself off coffee and start your day with hot lemon water instead. Your whole body will thank you!

Cranberry Juice for a Gut Superfood

Colorful and in season, cranberries are a great source of antioxidants and also possess antibacterial properties! Cranberry juice is known to inhibit the growth of E.Coli, H. Pylori, and streptococcus, and has long been a staple for those with a tendency to get UTIs. Drink 1/4 cup of juice any time of day, or make some real cranberry sauce for the holidays (for the love of detoxifying, skip the canned stuff!!). When buying a juice, choose organic and no added sugar. It’s more expensive, but cranberry bogs are high pesticide users if not organic, due to their difficult farming.

Cruciferous Vegetables aka Cauliflower and Broccoli

Cauliflower and broccoli are crucifiers, and they can help your liver detox! Roast with olive oil and other root vegetables for an easy fall side dish.

Broccoli Sprouts for Sulforaphane & Stage II Liver Detox

The liver has two stages of detoxification. Phase I creates byproducts that are often more toxic, and must be excreted by being bound and carried out of the body. That’s where Stage II comes in. One compound that supports stage II is called sulforaphane, and this supports the liver’s sulfation pathway. Broccoli sprouts are rich in sulforaphane, and tasty! They look like little green leaves, and have a mild taste. I add about 1/4 cup daily to one of my meals. Easily add broccoli sprouts to tuna salad, a harvest turkey bowl (with sweet potato and brown rice),  or as a side to just about anything.

Beets for Detoxifying Folate

Beets are full of folate! Folate is an important B vitamin. It helps clear out homocysteine, which is a toxic byproduct of normal metabolism. My favorite beets are vinegar-soaked, which has the added benefit of meaning I don’t have to prepare them and endure the mess. Beets make this beautiful magenta color when you cut them, but they stain like no other. I like to eat one or two small beets before a protein-rich dinner.

Cilantro and Green Juice for a Gentle Heavy Metal Cleanse 

Gently detoxify heavy metals with a tasty green juice! Cilantro is a chelator; it binds to toxins like heavy metals, so they can be carried out of the body. Adding greens to a juice is a natural way to get chlorophyll, a compound that makes plants green and has detoxifying benefits. I use fresh, washed organic cilantro, coconut water, lemon juice, and Mary Ruth’s Chlorophyll drops, then blend in a blender. Then I top it off with hot water for a warm drink before bed.

How to Move Your Body for Better Detox

Sweating

Have you heard the phrase “sweat out the toxins?” Well it’s dead-on. Sweating is one of the ways that the body naturally rids itself of toxins. Anything that gets you sweating is helpful: running, hot yoga, red light sauna, even a hot bath. Try to sweat it out a few times a week and feel the benefits. 

Twisting and Yoga

Yoga is such a great exercise for the whole body. Incorporate some gentle twists into your daily practice and “rinse” the spine of toxins. 

Rebounding 

Rebounding activities are bouncing ones, like running, jumping, skipping, and to some extent, walking. The bouncing motion of rebounding physically moves the lymph fluid around your body, helping your body process and remove toxins by improving the flow of drainage. Let’s talk more about the habits that help with lymphatic drainage.

Try Lymphatic Drainage for Full Body Detox

In addition to rebounding activities and physical movement, you can encourage the movement of lymph fluid in your body by adopting these relaxing self-care habits.

Dry Brushing

Call me Gwyneth, but I LOVE dry brushing! It’s truly been a game-changer for my health, and I notice it’s kept a little sniffle from becoming a cold more than once. Dry brushing feels so relaxing, but it can also be stimulating. Dry brushing before showering is such a relaxing ritual, and one that I look forward to every day. After dry brushing, wash off the dead skin cells in the shower and see how soft your skin feels! Dry brushing is a great way to wake up your lymphatic drainage and prepare your skin for absorbing moisturizing oils better. It’s a great precursor to the next healthy detox habit: gua sha.

Gua Sha–Yes, For Your Whole Body! 

Gua sha is not just for your face. With a larger gut sha tool, you can “sculpt” your whole body for a relaxing detox routine. After showering, I apply a clean body oil all over. (My favorite is by The Golden Secrets). Then, I gua sha the right side of my body completely, followed by the left side. This is a super relaxing ritual to do before bed, and is even more restorative when combined with an affirmations audio. Try it out and see if your dreams are just a little sweeter.

Get Your (Detoxifying) Beauty Sleep

The body does some major damage control while we sleep.  This is the main time of day when our brains are detoxifying! Inadequate sleep can actually reduce this brain-cleansing process, meaning proteins can build up in the brain. Getting enough rest really is equivalent to “beauty sleep,” so don’t skimp. Make sure you’re getting at least 7-9 hours nightly. As someone who has always needed sleep on the higher end of that range, I can’t comprehend sleeping less than 8 hours per night. I feel like a zombie! I also don’t drink any caffeine, and I wonder whether others would rate their sleep needs higher if they just kicked the caffeine/coffee habit. 🙂  To promote better sleep, cut off caffeine intake about 8 hours before bedtime; the earlier, the better.

Eliminate Toxins from Your Body

To support elimination of toxins, we need to, well, eliminate. Quite simply, make sure you’re drinking enough water (about 2-3L daily), and having at least one complete bowel movement daily.

Drink Up! Stay Hydrated to Detox

Every single cell in our bodies needs water. Staying hydrated ensures that our bodies have what they need to do their jobs. Aim for 2-3L of water daily. Start your day with lemon water, keep a glass or stainless steel water bottle on your desk, and reach for water before snacks.

Another way to stay hydrated is to avoid things that dehydrate you. Caffeine is a big one to avoid, but pay attention to how you feel after a shower or sauna. Maybe it’s too hot for you; you should feel better, not worse.

Daily Poops to Detoxify

When we don’t poop, those processed toxins sit and hang out in our gut. It’s absolutely essential to have healthy poops for a healthy detoxification system! If you aren’t having at least one full BM daily, here are some strategies to try:

• Increase Water Intake
• Increase Fiber Intake 
• Cut Out Processed Sugars and Grains
• Move Your Body More

There you have it: 5 simple, easy ways to detox that you can do daily! Try some or all of them, and see how your body thrives.

Dive into Detox!