3 ways to detox after festive season indulgence

Dussehra has just got over but still there are more festivals like Diwali, the whole wedding season, Christmas and New Year to look forward to this year. And if you have been indulging in rich meals, sweets and alcohol in the last few days, this is the perfect time for an overall detox after festive season indulgence to cleanse your body and flush out toxins. The symptoms of festive season indulgence are very clear: bloating, lethargy, puffiness, dull complexion, more cravings and what not!!

Surely, we all know what ‘DETOX’ means but let’s have a glance at the definition:

‘Detox is a process or a period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances’

Yes, detox is a process and we are talking about detoxifying the most complex machine on earth: the human body. Hence, as a first step to really cleanse our bodies in a true manner, we need to understand the signaling system of our bodies and definitely forbearance.

So, press the refresh button of your bodies with our simple detox regime.

The three major ways to detox would always be through food, exercise and sleep. A few things to get you in line first:

• Plan for a realistic goal: Just because one has gorged on Gulab Jamuns or Samosas doesn’t mean you stay hungry for the next few days for the so-called compensate mechanism. 1-2 lbs a week is a reasonable goal if you are wanting to shed that excess flab.
• Eat small meals more often to keep the metabolism on the better side and running. This will keep away cravings, boost your energy and even improve moods.
• Make small changes in your routine like taking a walk in fresh air for a few minutes, having that long pending spa treatment and so on.
• Most importantly, remind yourself of the healthy journey that you have started on. Pat yourself even if it’s a small win.

Detox the real way!

Food and water

Drink Up

The best way to cleanse your body is the eternal drink – Water and loads of it. It helps to remove the toxins, stimulates the digestive system, balances the hormones and energizes the entire system. Enhance the flavor of water by adding some lemon and honey or try infused water using slices of cucumber, mint leaves, lemon and ginger. Ensure that you drink 2-3 liters per day depending on your requirements.

Other fluids

Though water is the best bet, adding green tea and yogurt to your detox list is a good idea. Green tea is high in polyphenols, the powerful antioxidants; great for cleansing the system of impurities and toxins. Yogurt is a powerhouse of nutrients, especially probiotics and is a wonder aid for effective digestion.

Cut down on the consumption of caffeine (tea/ coffee) and alcohol to gain the benefits of the above-mentioned fluids. Remember that alcohol is a source of calories and caffeine can interfere with essential nutrient absorption.

Detox juices and smoothies

Have some good detox smoothies to hasten the results. Take a seasonal fruit of your choice, add a few sprigs of mint, an inch of ginger, squeeze a fresh lemon or add two dollops of fresh yogurt with some honey and crushed ice. Blend the ingredients together and have it fresh for that magical feel of a clean well hydrated body. Fresh cold pressed fruit and vegetable juices provide a whole lot of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Though not recommended for long term, especially fruit juices (for their high GI index and zero fiber), they can help the body revitalize after the festive binge.

Energy Foods

Kick start your day by eating an energy-rich foods like bananas. They are rich in natural sugars, and vital nutrients like potassium and vitamin B6 to take care of the bloated feeling. Add vitamin C rich foods like tomatoes, green leafy vegetables and sunflower seeds to boost the metabolism.

Eating more greens can help increase specific phytonutrient compounds which cleanse the gut and remove toxins including estrogenic metabolites. Include a green salad every day before lunch. This is a great way to meet your daily fiber requirements too. Indian gooseberry (Amla), beetroots, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower have a range of compounds which help in detoxifying the body. Also add turmeric, fresh coriander and garlic to your foods.

Eat flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to help detox the body. This super food is full of fiber and Omega 3s, important for cleansing. Dietary fiber also plays a major role in detoxifying the body. Oats, wheat bran and rice bran are high in insoluble fiber. Add them to your everyday list.

Avoid processed and junk foods which are high in sodium and sugar. They zap away the body’s energy. Have healthy carbohydrates within portion control.

The bottom line is to have a balanced diet with an array of foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, cereals and some healthy fats.

Exercise

Post the festival week, a light exercise regime is easier to unwind and get back on track quickly instead of having a heavy or intense work out.

Try out a totally new exercise regime which will add that extra zing to keep you on track and motivated all the times. If you have been doing Pilates, try Zumba or learn a martial art for a change. Alternatively, set a mission of achieving the 10,000 steps a day on your pedometer. Sweating out the calories is a double boon as it is a great way to detoxify the body apart from losing the flab.

Incorporating yoga into your exercise routine helps your body eliminate toxins and revitalizes the mind and the body. Yoga done the right way will make you feel new and fresh as it helps your posture, builds lean muscle and is a great workout to help increase fitness levels.

Sleep

Sleep is not a mere waste of time especially when you have been partying late nights. A sleep deprived person is prone to irritability, tiredness, lack of patience and the ability to concentrate. This reflects on the skin health too.

Make proper arrangements for your beauty sleep of at least seven to eight hours to help the body recover and repair itself. Take a hot bath before bed. Practice relaxation techniques like progressive relaxation or meditation which can help quiet your mind so you can drift off to dreamland.

So, help your body to take care of itself. It is very precious and cannot be neglected on any grounds. Say ‘Cheers’ to Healthy Living!!

References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-detox-your-body