Our bodies are incredibly efficient machines. They are designed to remove and pass toxins from our body. We are exposed to all kinds of toxins on a daily basis that we cannot control. From the exhaust of a passing bus to cleaning solvents, toxins are all around us. Over time, traces of these toxins can build up in the body causing the “machine” to move a bit slower. This translates to a general feeling of fatigue. You can combat this through regular detoxification practices. The ideas below can help get you on your way to a more energetic and efficient state of being.
Juicing
So, you’ve seen people toting cups of green juice around town and wondered to yourself, what on earth is in there and why is everyone crazy about drinking it? It has almost become as ubiquitous as a Starbucks coffee. So what’s the deal? It’s pretty simple. The USDA recommends that adults eat 2-3 cups of veggies per day. That’s a lot of fiber to digest. This is where juicing comes in. One tall glass of green juice can give you all the nutritional variety as a large salad without taxing your system. Poof! A boost in energy! Some chose to go on juice fasts, replacing all meals with fresh squeezed juice. If that’s not your cup of tea, try adding green juice to your diet or using it to replace one meal or that morning cup of joe.
Raw Food
Dining in the raw became a trendy alternative in upscale dining several years back. But the emphasis on gourmet presentation left something to be desired. These days raw food is far more tasty and accessible. Why isn’t this trend dying? Nutritionally speaking, raw food packs a better punch. Food in its raw state (fruits, veggies, grains, and meats) contain enzymes which die when food is heated above 118 degrees. As a result, your body needs to create enzymes in order to digest cooked food. Ever wonder why you slip into a food coma after eating a large cooked meal? Yep, that’s your body working overtime to create the extra enzymes needed to process dinner. When you eat raw food, your body can digest it more easily leaving you feeling energized. Isn’t that what food is supposed to do? Some take the raw food movement to the extreme by omitting all cooked foods. If this lifestyle doesn’t seem appealing, try adding more raw foods to your diet for a lighter outlook on life.
Massage Therapy
The lymphatic system is directly responsible for moving harmful toxins out of the body. One way to help your lymph nodes do what they do best is by engaging in massage therapy. The lymphatic system contains drainage areas that massage therapists trigger during therapy sessions. When your lymph nodes are in their optimum working condition your immune system sky rockets leaving you less susceptible to disease and fatigue. Most kinds of massage will cover these areas, keeping them in tip top shape. Interested in giving the gift of massage to others? Consider massage therapy school to spread the wellness all around.
Small Daily Practices
Ease into detoxing by adding small practices into your daily routine. A cup of room temperature water with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of cayenne pepper first thing in the morning cleanses your liver and gives your digestive organs a wake up call, preparing them for all the indulgences ahead. Likewise, sip a cup of warm water with lemon before bed to help your body process everything you put in it during the day. Lemon is a natural diuretic, which is why it was such an essential part of the Master Cleanse. However, just a squeeze is enough to do the trick and is much more gentle on your body. Also, cut your caffeine intake down to one cup a day. Replace second and third cups of coffee with ginger tea. Ginger aids your body in digestion, helping it run more efficiently. When your body doesn’t have to work so hard to digest that half pound burrito you ate for lunch, it has more energy for other things, like laughing, dancing, and living.
Jazmine Green is an associate editor for LA YOGA Magazine, covering a variety of health and wellness topics. She lives and writes in Los Angeles, California.