5 Daily Cleansing Habits I Practice
- mirandaapel
- Nov 7, 2017
- 4 min read
Each day we make thousands of decisions. From what time we get up to the makeup we put on our face, down to the attitude we have. These are all things that can either help us on our path to health or put us back a step. Our body is constantly trying to "cleanse" itself and in effort to work with nature towards health, there are some simple ways I try to help my body in this process. Today, I'd like to share with you a few cleansing practices I try to do on a daily basis. I do these not only because I believe in their effects, but they're also practical because they're simple and don't take up a lot of time.
1. Tongue Scraping You know that gross feeling your mouth has every morning upon waking? Well, that's all bacteria and toxins our digestive tract has been removing throughout the night and has now left deposited on the tongue. Dental research has proven that a tongue scraper is actually more affective at removing bacteria than a toothbrush! (1) When you don't scrape your tongue, those toxins get reabsorbed into the body which can cause respiratory and digestive issues. Tongue scrapers are cheap, about $7, and only takes about 1 minute to do! Make sure to do it first thing in the am, no drinking or eating before, and scrape until no film comes off (about 5-10 times). 2. Drink Lemon Water When we wake up, we need to remember that so are a lot of our body's systems. We need to give our body a gentle wake up and replenish it with water. By drinking room temperature or slightly warm lemon water, we help to wake up the digestive tract, flush out toxins, and get the digestive juices flowing for when we do eat. Easing your body into the day will help you both physically and mentally! 3. Gentle Yoga I most always start my day with yoga, whether it's my main exercise for the day or just a 20 minute session to wake my body from the night. Giving yourself that gentle movement in the morning is a great way to get your blood and lymph flowing and get in some deep breathing. There are lots of yoga classes online, some free and some for a monthly price. I have personally been practicing with YogaGlo online for years and absolutely love it! 4. Get Outside This one may be a little more seasonal, but I definitely feel the difference when I get outside a little each day versus not. Breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun and breeze on my skin totally refreshes me. Being that the lungs and skin are major detox organs, it's no wonder why we feel renewed after spending time outdoors. Want a bonus? Exposing some skin (arms and legs) to the sun for 15-20 minutes will help you get your daily dose of Vitamin D, a vitamin many are deficient in!
5. Digital Detox
Sleep is on our side when it comes to cleansing and repair to our bodies. From healing and repairing our blood vessels to ridding toxins that have built up in our brains! (2)
Every night before I go to bed I turn my phone and computer off. Cell phones (and tablets, TVs, and other gadgets with LED screens) give off what’s known as blue light—a type that studies suggest can inhibit the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin and disrupt our circadian rhythms. This may be because blue light emits wavelengths similar to daylight, which can make our bodies think it’s daytime, at any time. To fall asleep when you want (and need) to, power down all electronics two hours before bedtime.
BONUS: Dry Skin Brushing
Brushing your skin with a natural fiber bristle brush helps move your lymphatic system fluids and exfoliates one of your detox organs, the skin! Your lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. Exercise is a great way to get your lymph system moving, and so is this simple act of brushing your skin for about 5 minutes day! When dry brushing, start at your feet and work your way up the body towards your heart, making upward strokes. I often do this right before I get in the shower, which usually makes this an every other day event :) Take notice that several of these tips may be things to do at the start of your day. I know I can feel the difference when I begin the day with intention and taking care of my body, rather than just haphazardly going through my morning and feeling out of control. Hopefully, a few of these actions resonate with you and are things you can adopt as some new healthy habits.
References:
1.http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/bad-breath/article/using-a-tongue-cleaner-for-a-cleaner-mouth-0214
2. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/brain-may-flush-out-toxins-during-sleep
Disclaimer: The information shared on this website is for general purposes only and has not been reviewed by the FDA. The information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical conditions and is not intended to take the place of advice from your medical professional. You should seek the care of your doctor before changing dietary or lifestyle habits. You are solely responsible for your health care and activity choices.
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