By Katherine Feldhouse, Clean Wellness Coach
Your health detox experience is as unique as you are! As you approach a detox journey, there are multiple variables that come into play that can affect how the detox journey will be for you. These variables include your current diet and lifestyle habits, if this is your first detox or one of many, and even the time of the year.
When we take an individualized look at what to expect and how we can best support ourselves during this period, we can have a more successful and personalized detox experience.
When a Clean 21 or Clean 7 kit arrives, cleansers are provided with a comprehensive manual as well as support and guidance from our team of wellness coaches. One thing that the programs avoid is prescribing a nutritional blueprint or rigid caloric guidelines for meals and cleanse shakes. We feel it is important that you listen to your body, adopt healthy choices, and a plan to care for yourself during this vital time.
7 Detoxing Tips to Enhance Your Detox Experience
Here are a few of our health coaches’ favorite detox tips to help customize your cleanse experience to get the most out of your detox journey:
1. Prepare for the Detox
Whether embarking on a week-long or 21-day cleanse, prepping and pre-cleansing is key!
It may seem tempting to jump in and start your cleanse as soon as you decide to do it but pre-cleansing is an essential aspect of any detox that can enhance the experience and lead to profound results. Using this time to test recipes and food pairings that work for you while following the elimination diet can further support your biotransformation and detoxification period.
2. Make Self Care a Priority
As the body begins to let go of toxins, emotions may also begin to flow. Some days you may be called to take a long bath, other days jotting down a few thoughts may do the trick! Detoxing can certainly stir up emotions, so give yourself the space to learn from this time you’ve given yourself and explore feelings as they arise, giving them your attention and care.
3. Find your Exercise Flow.
Whether you are an avid runner, advanced yogi, or weekend walker, we ask you to give your body the grace to move gently during the detox period. Dialing back on your regular workout routine during this full body reset is important. Focusing on breathwork or easy yoga flows can be beneficial. Experiment with different movement modalities to find what works best for you and your energy levels, maybe even take this time to try something new!
4. Customize Your Meals When Possible
If you find a detox program such as the Clean 21, you will be in a program that is not calorically restrictive by design. You are welcome to experiment with healthy fats, additional proteins and trying out a variety of foods from the approved foods list at mealtime.
We encourage experimenting by adding in more flavor by creating a protein shake in the morning. You can also create a midday meal you not only enjoy eating, but also nourishes you while on the protocol providing nutrients and energy to support your daily needs.
For example, if weight loss is a health goal, we recommend being mindful of using nut butters in shakes because of a higher caloric content. However, if you want to maintain your current weight you may wish to bulk up your shakes or mid-day meals to prevent weight loss.
4. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is crucial during a detox. It helps flush out toxins from your body and keeps you hydrated, which is essential for overall health. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day, and consider adding herbal teas or infused water for variety.
5. Practice Mindful Eating
Pay attention to your eating habits and practice mindful eating during your detox. Chew your food slowly, savoring each bite, and avoid distractions like phones or screens while eating. This helps improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and allows you to tune in to your body's hunger and fullness cues.
6. Get Adequate Sleep
Prioritize getting enough sleep each night, as restorative sleep plays a crucial role in overall health and detoxification. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to support your body's natural healing processes.
7. Plan Ahead for Your Social Life
Between work, family, and life commitments it may be tempting to put off cleansing, but there are ways to navigate fitting a cleanse into your busy calendar!
Say you have a social event or dinner, you are absolutely welcome to swap your mid-day meal with your evening shake in this instance. Simply follow the foods to enjoy list when ordering or preparing your meal. Concerned about what to order at a restaurant? Feel free to email our coaches the menu ahead of time as we can help you navigate your night out with ease!
Try Dr. Junger’s Signature 21-day Full-Body Reset Program
At the end of the day, detoxing is a very personal journey, and no two experiences will present exactly the same. We recommend above all listening to your body and making decisions to support your whole self during this time.
If you’re looking for a detox program that provides support from health coaches and a laid-out protocol to follow, Clean 21 or Clean 7 may be a good fit. The program will remove the obstacles to optimal health, restore gut-health and functional wellness, and rejuvenate your well-being. You’ll receive an easy-to-follow daily protocol of Clean blended smoothies, nourishing whole food meals, hydration-boosting vitamins and minerals, and targeted supplements to enhance your detoxification and metabolic functions. Talk to a coach today!