Sunday, January 4, 2015

Happy New Year!

So, how did you fare during the holidays? Did you all survive? Was it a joyous family affair? Or was it more like a scene from The War of the Roses? However it passed, I hope you all found some enjoyment and are looking forward to a new start in the New Year.

Since we are starting out in a sparkly, fresh out of the box year, let’s start it off right! Let’s talk DETOX! ……..WAIT!….. Don’t run away just yet. It isn’t that bad, I promise! But let’s face it, between those holiday cookies, mixed holiday drinks, Christmas candy, and ‘oh, maybe just one more helping’ we faced this holiday season, a little body cleaning is needed. Whether you put on extra pounds or not, a detox can be a very helpful tool in a healthier New Year. Especially after some holiday overindulging.

Detox doesn’t just mean clearing out the body though. Perhaps your holidays meant dealing with that Debbie Downer or Negative Nathan? Being surround by a constant onslaught of negative emotions or negative people can greatly affect your mind/body/spirit connection. So a mind detox is also a useful tool in stepping into a healthier New Year.

Now that we have discussed the benefits of detoxing, let’s get down to brass tacks…. how to clear out the gook! For body detoxing there are some really simple things you can do. I am not a fan of skipping meals and replacing with a concoction, so I will not recommend that. Instead, try these tips:

Water. Oh water is a lovely cleanser. Up that water intake. Switch out that booze or soda or even juice for a nice glass of water. Don’t like water? (I do not personally understand this sentiment but have heard it plenty) Try adding some natural flavoring like fruit or sprigs of herbs. Mint is not only tasty in water but it is a great tummy tonic.

Clean Eating. Nothing is better for the body after weeks of holiday gooey goodies than some all natural, Mother Nature provided, good ole fashioned food. Twigs and sticks not needed here. Just start pulling out those yucky processed things. If you like cheese, buy real cheese. If you like soup, start making your own. If you like chips try something new instead, like kale chips or wasabi peas. Need that ice cream? Try making banana based ‘ice cream’ instead. Whatever it is, if it has an ingredient list a mile long, try finding a healthier version of it. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

Body Brushing. Yup, it is just what it sounds like, brushing your body….Hold on, hold on! Hear me out before you walk off shaking your head. Body brushing, or dry brushing can have wonderful cleansing effects. You just need a very very soft bristled hairbrush. First, sloughing off that dried dead skin is going to clear out those pores and let that skin breathe. Second, brushing will help stimulate your circulation. Improved circulation is always a good thing! 😉 Third, it can help stimulate your lymphatic system. A working lymphatic system can mean a cleaner, happier body. Fourth, it can be relaxing or invigorating. A soft body brushing at the end of the night can be a great way to unwind the mind while cleaning out the body. A soft brushing in the morning can help invigorate you and get you ready to start your day, the healthy way. Before you run in the other direction with your fingers in your ears saying, “nanner, nanner, I can’t hear you!”, give it a try. Just once. See what effects it has on you and your body. 🙂

Apple Cider Vinegar. Yup! That stinky brownish liquid can be a huge body cleanser. This can be done in a couple of ways. First, you can bathe in it. A warm bath with a cup of cider vinegar can help with your pH levels and can assist with skin issues. I use it at night on my face as a skin tonic. Second, ingest it. Add a tablespoon to your water or take it in tablet form. Apple Cider Vinegar has many health benefits including being antibacterial, helping promote better blood sugar levels, and more.

Juicing. Juicing seems to be the newest rage, right? It has been around forever and is a really good way to give your body extra vitamins and minerals. There are all kinds of units available and all kinds of recipe books out there. Do your homework. Certain foods will not only affect the taste, but also your body. When I started juicing fifteen years ago, I just added what I liked. Oranges, carrots, apples, ginger, and some parsley were my go-to’s. Unbeknownst to me, parsley is a diuretic…My mother, who had partaken in some of my wonderful juice, informed me of this, after a night of bathroom trips. Sorry, mom! So read up on those ingredients. Experiment with different flavors. See how your body responds. I do not recommend using juicing as a meal replacement but rather a meal enhancement. Adding real, fresh juice to your diet can be a very healthy habit!

Now that we have that body cleansed, how about tackling the ‘ole mind, eh? Here are some ways to detox that brain:

Meditation. I have said it before and I will say it again, meditation is the key to relaxation. You don’t need to sit in a funny pose or take a tremendous amount of time from your day. Just eight simple minutes, yup-just eight, can help you calm your mind and relax your body. If you find that you have trouble quieting the mind for any length of time, try meditating with music. Just put on some soft instrumental music in the background and sit quietly for eight minutes. Let your mind flow. Do not try to empty it or control your thoughts. Instead let it wander while you concentrate on clear, cleansing breaths. If you notice your mind has become stuck on a thought, gently nudge it in a different direction, taking care to breath slowly and steadily.
Yoga. I will be the first to admit that Yoga is not for everyone. But if you can do it, it is a very healthy practice to get into. If you are like me and fall over at every pose or find it difficult to twist and contort, try stretching instead. Slow, relaxing stretches can also be beneficial to the body as well as the mind.

Walks. Yes, something as simple as a walk can help clear out harmful stress. A walk in nature would be most beneficial, however any walk is better than no walk. 🙂 It gets the blood flowing, stretches muscles, and can help clear the mind.

Writing it down. Sometimes, something happens that is so stressful that nothing really seems to help. When this happens, I suggest trying the writing it down approach. You can either narrate or write it to the person/situation. Put those grievances on paper. When you are done, you can either attempt to write down some solutions or simply throw the paper away. Some like to rip it up, others like to burn the paper. (If you burn it, be sure to do it safely!) Take a nice cleansing breath in, and exhale all of that stress.
Laughing. Ah, my favorite thing to do! Laughing is a fantastic way to relieve stress and settle the mind/body down. Find your favorite funny things (movies, books, stand up comedians,etc) and let it go. None of this giggling stuff, now. You need the real deal! Let those guffaws, belly-laughs, and he-haws on out! Is there anything better than a good laugh? 😀

There you have it. A toolbox filled with safe and easy ways to detox that mind and body. Breath, relax, smile…..
Enjoy!
Posted by Stepping Stones Holistic Health at 9:24 PM