3 Parts of Your Life That Deserve a Detox
Toxins are stealthy, often infiltrating our bodies, minds and environments without raising immediate alarms. Like unseen enemies, they quietly accumulate over time, slipping under the radar as we go about our daily lives.
In the beginning, the effects are subtle—a slight dip in energy, an annoying breakout on our chin. But as toxins build up, their harmful impact becomes harder to ignore.
And it's not just our physical health that we need to safeguard. Toxic influences in the form of draining relationships or social media doom scrolling, for example, can also injure our emotional well-being.
Our systems can only take so much before they start to break down. So rather than lie in wait for the ill effects to surface, commit to detoxifying these three areas of your life regularly. Here's how:
RESET YOUR BODY
Our bodies are constantly exposed to toxins, from the air we breathe to the food we eat to the store receipts we touch (seriously). The result: The emergence of fatigue, digestive issues, frequent headaches and other symptoms. Dr. Mark Hyman, a leading expert in functional medicine, has emphasized the importance of ridding your system of toxins, saying: "Your body has a natural detoxification system, but it can be overwhelmed by the number of toxins we encounter daily…supporting your liver, kidneys, and gut with the right nutrients can enhance this process and improve your energy, mental clarity and overall well-being."
Here are some ways to reset your body:
1. Optimize your lymphatic system
The lymphatic system collects and filters out toxins, waste products, and excess fluids from tissues throughout the body. A few ways to keep it in peak condition: Any exercises that involve muscle contraction and deep breathing, is crucial as it creates a pumping action that stimulates lymphatic flow. Swimming is particularly good because the water creates pressure, as is rebounding (jumping on a mini-trampoline) thanks to the repeated up and down motions, which stimulates lymph flow. Other lifestyle practices, such as dry brushing or contrast showers (alternating between hot and cold spurts) also support lymph movement.
2. Do a food cleanse
Gone are the days of starving in the name of cleansing—Kroma’s founder, Lisa Odenweller, shared that PSA on Molly Sim’s podcast. (Listen here.) A better approach is giving your system a gentle reboot with a super-food centric program such as Kroma’s 5-Day Reset, which “provides targeted whole-body nutrition that gets to the root of symptoms and teaches you that food can be delicious and healing,” says functional medicine expert Dr. Will Cole, Kroma’s Chief Medical Advisor.
3. Support your liver and kidneys
While trace amounts of metals and other chemicals are excreted through sweat, your kidneys and liver do most of the work when it comes to getting rid of toxins. Given that, you should support their function by limiting your alcohol consumption and avoiding overly processed foods that are devoid of nutrients, especially ones that are loaded with health-disrupting sugars
4. Get some more sleep
During sleep, your brain undergoes a remarkable cleaning process that removes toxic waste products. As you snooze, the space between brain cells expands by up to 60%, creating wider channels for more efficient flushing of toxins. Cool, right? This expansion activates the glymphatic system, a complex network that facilitates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the brain, effectively washing away potentially harmful molecules. Who is down for adopting a nocturnal cleansing routine?
5. Hydrate already
By consistently drinking enough water throughout the day, you support your body's built-in detoxification mechanisms. Water flushes toxins and waste products from your system, primarily through urination, sweating and bowel movements. When you're well-hydrated, your kidneys can filter blood and remove waste products more efficiently and your liver's ability to eliminate toxins is enhanced. Additionally, staying hydrated can improve digestion and prevent constipation, allowing waste elimination through the digestive system. And don’t just guzzle water all day— be sure to replenish crucial electrolytes along with your water.
PERFORM A FRIEND CLEANSE
There comes a moment in all friendships where you understand that the connection is either feeding you energy or draining it from you. Dr. John Townsend, a psychologist and bestselling author explains the importance of evaluating our social circles, saying that just as toxins can accumulate in the body, toxic relationships can build up in our lives, sapping our positivity.
How do you know it's happening? Psychotherapist and empowerment expert Terri Cole explains it this way on her podcast Boundary Boss: "When you consistently feel drained or disrespected after spending time with someone, it's a strong sign that you need to reevaluate and assert healthier boundaries in that relationship."
Here are some ways to perform a friend cleanse:
1. Unfollow
Unfollowing or unfriending people on social media who haven't interacted with you in a long time or whose feeds bring you down can create space for more meaningful connections.
2. Evaluate friendships
On a quarterly basis, reflect on your closest friendships and assess whether they align with your current values and goals. If a friendship feels toxic or unfulfilling, consider having an honest conversation with that person about your feelings—not easy, but it might be necessary. Or gradually spend less and less time with them.
3. Say no more often
Consider adopting this mantra: If it’s not a “hell, yes” then it’s a “no.” If something doesn’t inspire a strong affirmative response, it’s better to decline to protect your emotional energy. In doing that, you may lose a few members of your social circle— and that’s okay.
DETOX YOUR DIGITAL HABITS
Digital overload is real. The constant barrage of notifications, emails, and social posts can lead to stress, anxiety and even sleep disturbances. "We’ve been convinced that we need to be connected all the time, but this constant connection comes at the cost of our attention and mental health, says Cal Newport, an MIT-trained computer science professor at Georgetown University and a bestselling author who writes about the impact of technology on society.
Nobody is expecting you to ditch your tech, but Newport advocates taking a more intentional approach to our digital lives to help minimize distractions so we can focus on more meaningful activities.
Here are some ways to detox your digital habits:
1. Turn your smartphone into a dumb phone with this how-to
It hides app icons and notification badges from view so you’re left with a text-based launch menu for just your most essential apps. Or limit your screen time with a timed lock-out feature on your phone.
2. Edit your social media feed
Again, eliminate accounts that cause distress. Do. It. Now. Then, add social accounts that elicit feelings of joy and peace— daily affirmation, baby animals and Kroma Wellness, obviously!
3. Listen to Newport’s Deep Questions podcast to glean tips on “how to live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions.”
Remember, detoxing is about creating a balanced environment in every aspect of your existence. By cleansing these three areas of your life, what you're actually doing is making space for healthier things to come in.
How to Detox for Longevity | Dr. Mark Hyman
PSA Cleanses Are Dead | Lipstick on the Rim Podcast
Sugar and Sleep | Kroma Wellness
People Fuel: Fill Up Your Tank for Life, Love and Leadership | Dr. John Townsend
Terri Talks - The Art of Setting Boundaries | The Terri Cole Show
The 5-Day Reset: Deluxe
Cranberry Hydration Elixir
