Published Articles for Bliss Magazine

 Weekend in Paradise

Detox in Your Own Home-Spa

Susan Poore, RN,CNC, CPLC ~ Balanced Health 101

Contributing Writer for Bliss Magazine

We read all the time about detoxing our bodies but in this economy, we may not be able to afford it or have the time to get to a detoxing spa environment.

Nothing can replace stepping into a well-run spa and being pampered to the point that you do not want to leave. A place where halfway through the day, you consider sending an “I’m running away” letter to your family. I must admit that there are some great spas out there and I recommend them to my clients that can afford it. However, an average all-day spa visit can easily run at hundreds of dollars a visit. With gas and food prices rising every day, most of us budget more of our dollars for necessities, and we may skip things that would ultimately benefit our physical and mental health.

How does detox help? If practiced routinely, it can help you drop unwanted pounds, improve restful sleep, reduce cellulite, increase your energy, and decrease your stress levels. Some signs indicating the presence of too many toxins in your system include poor digestion and concentration, constipation, depression, allergic conditions, headaches, joint pain, bloating, undue tiredness, and mood changes. Most of us assume that pre-menstrual syndrome is causing these symptoms. And these pre-existing systems do escalate during the menstrual cycle when our bodies face even more stress than other times of the month. But menstruation is not the problem.

A recent article written by Luke J. Terry in Natural News.com (March 10th, 2008) pointed out some great facts and benefits of detoxifying your body. He points out that many women find that PMS symptoms dramatically diminish after thorough detoxification, and that these gains remain as long as appropriate dietary habits are established and maintained. He also discusses how the detox process can affect weight loss, enhance blood sugar and blood lipid control. All three of these areas in our lives need to remain stable for our long term health. Mr Terry points out that emotional and mental toxicity along with stress are often the underlying casue of body toxicity!

We live in a world filled with chemicals in our foods and the air we breathe. Therefore, we should be asking ourselves, “What can I do today to remove these from my system?” Spending a weekend detoxing will improve your health and mental focus. Just like any other program, if you are under a doctor’s care for a medical condition, you may need to obtain his or her approval for some of these suggestions. There are many great books on the detox process; however, here is a short list of things you can do at home to get started today.

1. First, turn off your cell phone and let your calls go to voicemail.
2. If you have kids, hire a babysitter, preferably one who will take the children to his or her home, or at least out for the day away from your house. You need the quiet environment.
3. Eliminate sugar, alcohol, and caffeine before you begin a weekend or week-long detox. It will decrease the stress those toxins put on your liver.
4. Drink plenty of water—it helps flush out the toxins that your body releases.
5. Consume raw fruits and vegetables, but nothing that has been cooked or processed, while detoxing. If organic foods are available and you can afford them, that is best. An unanticipated benefit? Avoiding processed foods and consuming raw foods will do amazing things for your skin.
6. Meditate: It will help you more than you can imagine. There are many great CDs on the subject. Get into the practice of meditating daily for 5 to 10 minutes. It can change your stress level substantially if done in a positive way.
7. Brush your skin daily before showers. This practice will stimulate and remove toxins. It also helps your immune system function. This is one detox habit you can start today and do forever.
8. Take a warm Epsom salt bath. It helps relax your body and remove toxins. Epsom salt baths are very affordable and can make you feel relaxed and stress-free.
9. Finally, hire a massage therapist, if you can. Massage is the ultimate health treat. We all hold our stress in the muscles that surround our back, neck, head, and shoulders. Relieving this stress can improve your immune system. In today’s economy, many massage therapists are not working as frequently as they need to. Many are willing to come to your home. Some will even bargain their fees with you if you hire them. And when you find a therapist you like, treat him or her well; massage may have a more positive effect on your physical health than you know.

Discuss your options with your doctor to see what habits might work well for you. Taking some time to detoxify your body, practice healthy habits, and simply relax will do wonders for your physical and emotional health.

Published in Bliss Magazine Fall Edition , September 2008