The Best Springtime Detox Techniques

There’s something about months of stodgy comfort food and hot drinks that makes you feel somewhat sluggish, to say the least. When the nights begin to get lighter and the weather warms up, it becomes apparent that we have to do something to shake off that heavy feeling and put a spring in our step. That’s when a detox can be just the job!

Why detox?

The theory behind detoxifying is that it cleanses the system, flushing the build-up of toxins from the body and allowing the cleansing organs – such as the liver, kidneys and skin – to function more efficiently. This would give you more energy and reduce bloating and skin breakouts. However, care should be taken to ensure that you are in a healthy enough condition to withstand the strain of a drastically reduced calorific intake, so you should have a word with your GP or practice nurse before you start.

Adding other foods

Eating four or five small meals per day allows your body to process the food more efficiently and raises your metabolism. Avoid dairy products, substituting them with soya protein if you wish. Soups, salads and freshly prepared salsas are ideal for longer detoxes or as a way of ending a juice and fruit detox gently.

You should expect to feel tired at first and you may experience some skin problems as your body adjusts. Use gentle cleansers and apply a light spray of Sanctuary Spa’s body oil twice a day and you will soon notice an improvement on your skin’s original condition. The first detox is the most difficult, but when you experience the benefits, you will want to make it a regular part of your health and beauty regime for the rest of your life.

Prepare yourself

It’s important to gather everything you need beforehand, to earmark a time when you will have the least to do for the first day or so and to prepare yourself mentally for the undertaking. If you are the main preparer of food for your family, consider freezing some meals for them to cover the period of your detox as you won’t want to look at a lot of things you aren’t allowed to eat. Relaxation is part of the process, so try to set aside an area where you can enjoy a little peace and quiet – not always easy if there are children or even other adults in the house.

What will you need?

The basis of many detox diets is fruit. This is often served as juice, which is far better if you can make a fresh batch each day, but if you can’t make your own juice, make sure you choose one that is one hundred per cent fruit. You will also need some fruits to eat and the best ones are those with a high juice content, such as melon and strawberries; grapefruit is a particularly effective cleanser and is a good choice for the first meal of the day.

In addition to large quantities of fruit, you should stock up on herbal teas; although any flavour will work, some teas are efficient at aiding digestion, such as peppermint or fennel. It’s not advisable to continue with a fruit-only diet for more than two or three days, which makes it a perfect weekend detox regime.

Guest Post