DETOX TIPS to kick off the new year...

As 2018 is here, we've all made it through the silly season and hopefully set our intention for the new year. Now its time to detox! Thought it would be helpful to share my ten detox tips to set you up for a healthy start to the year!
 
DETOX TIPS

​1. Hydrate
Drinking water is one of THE most important things for you to remember!  Being DEhydrated can make you feel tired, sluggish and hungry for food your body doesn't need. Make sure the first thing you do when you wake up is to drink at least a glass of water at room temperature. Our bodies are made up of over 60% water. So drink H2O regularly and feel the difference! 
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2. Just Breathe
The easiest and cheapest method available to centre us during a busy period is already within us... our breath. Take a few moments throughout each day to breathe deeply, consciously and all the way down into your belly.  This will help to relax your body and calm your mind, so you'll be able to process requests, invitations and information better.   This will enable you to make good decisions about what you eat and what you can do to help you to detox. SO B R E A T H E! 

3. Eat nutritious and cooling foods
Try to aim to get plenty of fruits and vegies into your day. With summer upon us there are so many great fruits to indulge in. Aim to eat as much colour in your diet everyday, think all the colours of the rainbow. No, that’s not skittles!
Whilst your detoxing, it’s great to eat cooling foods such as are leafy greens, coconut, cucumber, blueberries, pineapple and watermelon. Reduce dairy products and increase salads and other dishes with cooling parsley, and alfalfa sprouts. Avoid spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, and chilies. Peppermint or green iced tea are cooling.

4. Probiotics
Alcohol, sugar, processed foods and stress of the silly season can greatly affect your digestive flora and result in bloating, poor bowel health and general sluggishness. Get a good quality probiotic supplement that provides a range of different strains and take daily to assist with building your good gut bacteria.

5. Gratitude
Be grateful for what you already have, and then you will realise that you already have plenty. See the beauty in small things. Simple days add up to a very rich life. Rather than lament what you don’t have be thankful for what you do have. Live in the moment and be grateful for the gift of life.

6. Make You A Priority
What we mean here is, look after yourself!  Make sure you're nourishing your body with whatever you put in.  Enjoy finding ways to add extra health and energy into your food.  A good drink for first thing in the morning is hot water with lemon, ginger, turmeric and cayjenne pepper.  The lemon will help balance the acidity in your body and the ginger is great for soothing sore tummies whilst turmeric is great for your joints and the pepper helps to absorb. You can add Apple Cider Vinegar in here for an extra kick if you fancy it!  Finally, help your body process everything by eating slowly and being mindful of every mouthful. Chew your food! 

7. Get plenty of rest
Burning the candle at both ends and not getting enough sleep is one of the fastest ways to drag your health down. Getting adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. Apart from having more energy to keep up a hectic schedule, your mood will be lifted, you’ll reduce stress, your body will repair and replenish itself, your mind will feel clearer plus you’ll feel and look refreshed. All definite bonuses!

8. Schedule in your exercise
As tempting as it is to watch your new favourite show on Netflix over the holidays or take too many long lunches & dinners with friend or family, it’s vital that you maintain your daily exercise regime. Schedule your gym exercise in your calendar and better still, integrate movement into your social activities as best you can. Take a walk instead of a drive or picnic on the beach or, take a road trip and stroll through a town you’ve never been to. Get out into the fresh air, swim in the ocean, anything you enjoy. Before you know it, you will begin feeling healthier. There are so many ways to keep moving during the holidays, and your body will thank you for it.

​9. Commit to your yoga and meditation practice and annual retreat
Set your intention to commit to the yoga and meditation habit in the new year as it is one of the best ways to help you detox after the silly season. Join Yogarama on the mat for a regular yoga practice and book into one of our yoga and mindfulness retreats so you can look forward to a rejuvenating yoga and meditation weekend as the years starts to get busier with commitment and stresses. Also, there are plenty of good meditation/mindful apps you can download to help you including: Calm, Smiling Minds and Headspace. 

10. Discover Essential Oils
Why not try using essential oils for a wonderful calming experience - add lavender oil to your bath salts or to your massage oil or you can diffuse the lavender so your room or entire home smells like a day spa. Lemon and peppermint are both essential oils that can be especially invigorating and detoxing. lemon is great for detoxing and regenerating whilst peppermint is an ancient remedy for indigestion and cleansing gut issues. There are so many more oils that can boost your health and wellness (ask me if you're interested).

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