How to Detox Your Body & Mind

It's the start of a new year AND a new decade! Don't you think it's time to energise a fresh, bright chapter of life? A happy and healthy new year begins with you. Let's kick-start the new year off by rewiring your attitude towards both your body and mind! Remember, the golden rule is that health and happiness go together. Make it a priority to start giving your body the nourishment it needs, and your mind the care it deserves.

Everyday our bodies are bombarded with toxins; in the air, in our water, in our foods, in our cosmetics and even in our thoughts! While a major detox can be daunting for even the most avid health enthusiasts, taking daily steps as well as preventative measures can help one avoid having to eventually do a full-body deep cleanse (such as fasting, liquid diet, etc.). 

While it's great to have fresh goals for the new year, you can start these steps to a body and mind detox at ANY given time. Start today!

READ: Top 5 tips on how to stick to your new year's resolutions! >>

Drink enough water (daily!)

This is one of the most simple and easy ways to detox the body and help keep your mood elevated. Drinking water on a regular basis helps to keep the body hydrated and functioning at its optimal level. It has also been proven that the greater the water consumption, the better the mood! Regular intake of water ensures that your system is continually flushing itself out and preventing toxin build-up. Toxins not only affect our systems negatively, but also affect our mood! Good hydration also helps with weight-loss, prevents premature aging, keeps the skin radiant, increases energy levels and revitalises the body!

Drinking enough water will ensure that you don’t mistake thirst for hunger (common confusion), making you less likely to overeat and gain unnecessary weight! Start your day with water to give your body and mind the kick start it needs, and continue drinking more during the day. If you're not a fan of plain water, add a squeeze of lemon, fresh mint leaves, cucumber slices or a handful of other fruit such as berries to make it more tasty! 

Reduce caffeine, increase teas

Drinking caffeine frequently may have various effects on the body. Yes, that morning cup of coffee can help you throw fatigue and moodiness out the window, but not without a cost! Studies show that daily caffeine consumption is out of control (worldwide) and in turn many people are suffering the health consequences. Caffeine is known to increase anxiety levels, constrict blood vessels, cause rapid heart rate, elevate blood pressure, stimulate digestive issues and cause burnout, just to name a few.  

Replace coffee with tea! Don't worry about not getting your morning boost because there are fantastic energy-boosting herbal health teas on the market. This Detox Dandelion Organic Tea is a delicious, cleansing and renewing Ayurvedic detox blend! This tea contains specially selected ingredients to help 'spring clean' and renew the body, mind and soul.

Herbal teas are a wonderful and comforting way to enjoy the health-giving benefits of herbs and spices AND they can be delicious too! Simply pop a teabag into your cup, allow to 'draw' in boiling water for up to 7 minutes (the longer the stronger), sit back and enjoy! View our full selection of organic herbal teas.

Another great tip (especially for the summer months) is to make up a batch of any one of our large selection of delicious organic Ayurvedic teas, allow to cool and keep in the fridge for use throughout the day for your daily supply of iced tea. You could even freeze the tea in ice trays and pop into your water every time you drink a glass!

READ: Start your year off right by quitting smoking for good! >>

Eat enough fresh, organic produce

Eating habits have changed drastically over the years. Most families' kitchens are stocked up with processed, artificial foods with little nutritional value. As our daily schedules become busier, we have less time to prepare healthy meals, and as prices sky rocket, many people gravitate towards cheaper options. Let's not even get on the topic of GMOs, pesticides and additives! Where food once ensured a healthy lifestyle and longevity, it's now a source of toxins, disease and shorter lifespans.

Another dietary (and planetary) issue is the over-consumption of meat. For many people, meat is the 'heart' of meals, with other important food groups like grains and vegetables taking a backseat. It should really be the other way around! Never mind the environmental impact agricultural farming has on our planet, the over-consumption of meat comes with negative health impacts such as cardiovascular disease, fatigue, hormone imbalance and strokes.

Make vegetables and other fresh produce the “main event” at every meal, followed by grains, and only then meat, dairy and starches. Buy organic when possible, free from pesticides, GMOs, antibiotics and artificial additives. Remember, all the unhealthy additives and toxins found in many drinks and foods build-up in our systems and put strain on our liver, kidneys and other biological filtration organs. Eat clean, live clean!

Tip: Liver Thrive is a herbal remedy which improves the health and functioning of sluggish livers! Liver Thrive contains herbs known for their ability to improve the functioning of the liver and protect it from damaging toxins and disease, thereby improving overall systemic health. 

Limit screen time

Spending too much time on screens (TV, PlayStation, cellphones etc.) has been linked to not getting enough sleep, poor grades or work performance, and a greater risk of depression and obesity. We're not saying that you should completely eliminate your screen time, but keeping a balance in every arena of your life is important. This is particularly important for children with their developing brains!

There are small things you can do to limit your daily screen time. Turn off your phone, computer and TV while at work or while you're eating. Eating and screen time make for an incredibly unhealthy companionship; it's been shown that people over-consume while watching TV or playing games. Ban screens during meals to make mealtime more of a conscious event and reduce the likelihood that you’ll overeat. Also keep in mind that exposure to electronics affects brain functioning and mood. Perhaps it may be a good idea to allocate a certain period of the day for screen time (NOT before bed) so that you spend the rest of your time being productive and engaging in healthy activities.

Socialise 

Humans are social creatures. Schedule one social event every week or every month, depending on what your schedule allows. A date night, breakfast with a friend or even a phone conversation with someone you love talking to can recharge your spirit and encourage a healthy mindset. Socialising also helps one feel a sense of belonging and importance, which in turn promotes confidence and reduced negativity.

Meditate

Those who practice regular meditation will tell you how much it helps them to centre themselves and cope with stress. Just as our body’s need to detox, so do we need to regularly clear our minds and make space for good thoughts and peaceful feelings. Meditation does not need to be a difficult process that needs specific techniques. Simply make a space for yourself to sit quietly every day for 10 – 20 minutes.

Tip: Burning a candle or some soothing aromatherapy oils can create a peaceful atmosphere. Some gentle, peaceful instrumental music can also help. Take deep breaths, relax and clear your mind. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Exercise

Physical activity, whether it’s hiking, yoga, walking, weight training or simply doing a few stretches a day is of utmost importance. Many ailments can be prevented if one makes physical activity part of their lifestyle. Not only that, but moving your body improves circulation, cell nourishment, boosts "happy hormones" and helps us feel good about ourselves!

READ: Lose weight naturally this Summer with our diet and detox plan (FREE eBook included)! >>

Systemic detox

21st Century life brings with it stress, environmental pollution, unhealthy diets and fast foods. Illnesses like cancer, heart disease, arthritis and other lifestyle conditions are becoming more frequent. Even so-called 'healthy food' is often full of artificial hormones, insecticides, micro-plastics, heavy metals and other chemicals, which destroy the vitamins and essential nutrition of the food we eat. Research has shown that environmental pollution enters the blood stream via food, water supply and the atmosphere and causes levels of toxins to build up in the body. These toxins affect body functioning, especially the functioning of the liver.

The result? Depressed immune systems, constant fatigue, obesity, sluggish livers and digestive systems, allergies, respiratory ailments, unhealthy skin and many other health problems. We encourage everybody to do systemic detoxes from time to time. Start your new year off with a detox, and repeat every few weeks or months.

Tip: Detox Drops are a 100% safe, non-addictive natural herbal remedy formulated for teens and adults containing a selection of herbs known for their ability to contribute to liver health and well-being. In this way, Detox Drops can be used as part of a gentle detoxification program to safely cleanse and flush out the system. This natural remedy supports the body’s innate ability to remove toxins and waste by-products, without harmful side effects. By cleansing and refreshing all body systems, Detox Drops can also represent a wonderful start to any new program to stop smoking or begin a healthy weight loss program!

Say 'no' to chemical products

Because most of what we put on our skin ends up in our bloodstream, it's important to be aware of the potentially harmful toxins in the products that we buy. If you're putting toxic chemicals on your skin, you're basically inviting those toxic chemicals to travel through your system and potentially wreak havoc. It's tricky to maintain a chemical-free lifestyle, as chemicals are found in almost everything, including toothpaste, cosmetics, incense, perfume, deterrents and much more! 

READ: Can chemical deodorants and antiperspirants harm your health?

READ: Is sunscreen really as harmful to your skin as they say?

So how can you avoid bombarding your system with harmful chemicals? Read the ingredients before you buy anything! The great thing is that people are becoming more aware of the dangers linked to chemical ingredients. It's now much easier to find natural, eco-friendly and organic cosmetics and personal care items all over the world!

Incorporate oil pulling into your dental routine

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic detoxifying technique to support not only dental health, but also to detoxify the body and encourage systemic health! It's detoxifying effects on the whole body allow it to reduce headaches, joint pains and hangovers - and that is in addition to its positive effect on dental health and fresh breath!. Oil pulling has been shown to fight against certain microbes (including cavity-causing bacteria and candida) and work as a body detox technique. Regular oil pulling can transform your health and act as a cleanser, clearing out any unwanted bacteria before they get an opportunity to spread to other parts of the body, while promoting fresh breath, healthy teeth and gums!

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to oil pull:

1. Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil pulling oil directly into your mouth (or a convenient oil pulling sachet by Cocobaci in a variety of yummy flavours!)
2. Swish the oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. As you work the oil through your mouth, it will become more and more liquid and easy to ‘swish’.
3. Once done, spit the oil into a dustbin as it can block drains and toilets. The oil will also contain eliminated toxins and bacteria, which you don’t want to swallow!
4. Rinse your mouth with warm water and spit out
5. Repeat daily! Tip: Cocobaci sells 15 day oil pulling detox kits in yummy flavours making it easy to do an oil pulling detox.

 New Year's goal

"As the world fights to figure everything out, I'll be holding doors for strangers, letting people cut in front of me in traffic, saying good morning, keeping babies entertained in grocery lines, stopping to talk to someone who is lonely, being patient with sales clerks, smiling at a passerby. Why? Because I will not stand idly by and live in a world where love is invisible. Join me in showing kindness, understanding, and judging less. Be kind to a stranger, give grace to friends who are having a bad day, be forgiving of yourself - today and every day. Be the change, be the light, start today and never stop." - Audrey Loves Paris

I’d love to hear what else you’re doing to clean up your mind, body and home this new year!

If you have any questions, please contact our team or leave a comment below for FREE health advice. We always love hearing from you!