With Christmas approaching rapidly, it’s time to think about a full-body cleanse. Many people don’t worry about a cleanse until after the holidays. They assume, and rightly so, that they need to get rid of toxins from the weeks of poor eating.
But your body can actually benefit from a pre-holiday cleanse as well. It can strengthen your immune system and assist your GI tract in working more efficiently. Thus your body will be in peak working order before it faces the holiday onslaught.
Preparing Your Body For Christmas
There are a variety of steps you can take to prepare your body for Christmas. Whether you want to cleanse stomach or need a full-body detox, try some of these options:
- Drink lemon water. Start each day with a glass of warm or room-temperature water with a full lemon squeezed into it. This stimulates your liver.
- Eat more veggies. Raw or cooked, veggies are a real powerhouse. All vegetables are good, but the dark leafy ones are especially powerful. So stock up on spinach, kale, and collards.
- Focus on low-glycemic fruits. Fruits are a healthy source of sugar, but they are sugar nonetheless. By eating more of the low glycemic fruits, such as pears, apples, and berries, you have a better cleanse.
- Reduce salt, refined sugars, and alcohol. If you overdrink, have the best hangover drink handy.
- Get moving. A little exercise every day should be part of any detox. Walking is a great choice.
How To Cleanse Before Christmas Day
If you’re ready to take the plunge into a full-body pre-holiday cleanse, here are some ideas for you. Note that every body is different and it may take some experimentation to find the combination of actions that work best for you.
- Eliminate, or at least reduce, caffeine consumption. Replace your morning cup of joe with an herbal tea, such as peppermint or ginger, that supports your immune system.
- Eat organic. Your meals should consist of mostly veggies and lean protein.
- Avoid corn, soy, wheat, and dairy. These foods can cause inflammation in the gut.
- Stimulate your lymphatic system with a body brush. Brush your entire body with upward strokes prior to bathing or showering.
- Enjoy a smoothie. Make sure it’s made of fruits and veggies with no added sugar or dairy. Best of all, make it yourself.
- Join a yoga practice. Even if it’s just for a few minutes a day, yoga can stimulate the circulatory system and eliminate toxins from your GI tract.
What To Do When You Overindulge
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we succumb to the temptations of the season. Stock up on a few hangover fixes for after the party. Keep your fridge full of healthy fruits and veggies. Have frozen chicken breasts and fish in the freezer.
No matter what you may eat elsewhere, if your home has the good stuff, you’ll return to better habits when you’re there. Cleanse now to get a head start on a healthier holiday lifestyle.
