The ever-optimistic feeling that comes with an upcoming detox or cleanse. Thoughts of clearer skin, increased energy, and perhaps a little extra room in your favorite jeans. Then day one hits, and wait, none of these things are happening. Instead, you feel exhausted, your head is hurting, you’re bloated. Not to mention you feel like you could sleep for days.
Thoughts like, “What’s happening to my body?”, or “Do I have the flu?” begin to cross your mind. You even start to think about giving up after the first day or feel that the detox isn't working. The truth is, all of these symptoms are normal, and yes, in a sense, you kind of do have the flu, The Detox Flu.
When we detox or transition to a plant-based, clean diet, our bodies essentially go through withdrawal from inflammatory and trigger-causing foods like sugar, caffeine, gluten, and dairy. Getting rid of these toxins is a lot of work, and your body goes into full overdrive to purge itself of them. It’s normal to feel a bit run down and experience side-effects such as headaches and irritability.
The silver lining, however, is that all of these symptoms are normal and are signs that the detox is doing what it's supposed to be doing. It’s important to know how to combat and overcome them (both mentally and physically), so you can continue on your journey and get back to remembering why you started down this healthy path in the first place.
How to combat detox symptoms:
Drink Water
And lots of it, probably more than you even think you should be drinking. As you detox, you’re flushing out tons of toxins, which can cause headaches and body aches. Drinking water will help expedite your detox with helpful hydration as well as headaches and fatigue abate. Make sure to drink extra water during the first few days of your detox and stay extra hydrated to help quicken the process overall.
Tip: To determine how much water you should be drinking, take half of your current body weight and divide it by two to determine the minimum ounces of water you need (plus extra if you’re active). For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you need at least 75 ounces of water each day.
Ingest Lost Electrolytes
While we're on the topic of water, you want to make sure you're not flushing everything out. Each of your cells requires a balance of water and minerals to function (this is why we need to eat) In order to maintain a body that is working optimally, it's important to nourish a system with necessary electrolytes. These help with cognitive, digestive, nervous, and cardiac health. Incorporating Beauty and Detox Water Drops are a great way to get the necessary ionic minerals and electrolytes with your water—add 4-6 full droppers to your water throughout the day while you’re on a detox.
Get Some Sleep
Your body is in overdrive right now and working extra hard to get out unwanted toxins and help regenerate itself. Your body is in recovery mode, and you need to allow it to rest, the same way you would after a big session at the gym. Get some sleep during detox week and hit the hay early at night. Get in bed earlier than you normally would, catch up on some reading, do your breathing, and prep for slumber. You deserve it and the reward will be waking up extra refreshed.
Create Rituals (Morning and Night)
While seeming tedious at first, rituals can actually be life-changing. Having a routine in the morning and night that you follow can be as simple as stretching when you first wake up, or sitting and having a cup of tea before the day starts. It’s setting time aside to be still for a moment. On our Level II: Detox program, we encourage dry brushing morning and night which helps detoxify your lymphatic system and eliminate toxins from your skin.
Cash In On Some Self-Care
Whether it’s a facial, a session in an infrared sauna, or an Epsom salt bath, take some time for self-care during a detox week. Not only will this help get your mind off the detox (and the foods you may be missing), you will naturally feel better. Even something as simple as going to get your nails done will allow you the time to relax and feel pampered. This week is all about you and it’s important to respect that.
Eat More Fat
That’s right! Healthy, high-quality fats are good for your body and help it burn more fat and reboot the metabolism. The MCT oil that's used in Level II's Medicinal Broth, as well as the high-quality oils used in Sakara's dressings, are full of saturated fats that are easier for the body to digest. If feeling a little fatigued on a detox, add a tablespoon of coconut oil or ghee to your tea. The saturated fats also help with brain health and clarity and will give you energy to power through.
Healthy, high-quality fats are good for your body and help it burn more fat and reboot the metabolism
Have An Electronic Curfew
Turning off your phones at least one hour before bedtime will prepare your mind and body for deep REM sleep. The blue light that's emitted from smartphones and devices increases cortisol in the brain and prevents the production of melatonin which is needed for healthy rest. Shutting off gadgets early on will help relieve the body of overstimulation and help the brain "wind-down" while also preventing disruption during sleep, which can cause serious health issues.
Take Magnesium
About 80 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium—a wonder mineral that helps relax our muscles, promote elimination, and convert macronutrients into bioavailable energy. Even though magnesium is part of Level II's evening supplement pack, if you are feeling the effects of detoxing or noticing some bloat, take a water-soluble magnesium supplement such as CALM before bed to help relax your body and promote the elimination process.
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