After the summer it can be difficult to get back into the swing of reality. You may have been fortunate enough to have a break or a holiday, or at the very least you will have hopefully enjoyed better weather and lighter evenings. As Autumn closes in, you may feel a sense of dissatisfaction with your life, or a weariness that things continue the same and nothing changes. You may feel overworked or overwhelmed. If that’s the case, it is time to consider a life detox. Here’s our suggestions for a life detox that will lift your spirits and give you a renewed sense of purpose.
Every morning, as soon as you wake up, ask yourself, “What do I want to feel today? What do I want to achieve? How do I want my day to shape up?” Purposeful imagining can really help to sway what you achieve during the day. If you then make conscious decisions about eating, drinking, working, playing etc., then you are taking steps to create the life you envisage. Small steps.
There are so many ways you can declutter your life, not just your home and living environment, but also your mind. Decluttering is in vogue at the moment, so there are plenty of interesting books available which should help you. In the meantime, take a look around you, and inside you, and think about ‘stuff’.
Wherever you encounter piles of stuff, you need to declutter. If the thought of tidying and sorting scares you to death, don’t let it. Just tackle one job at a time: do one, and then leave the next one till tomorrow.
Clutter generally means you have to much of something. Too much paperwork, too many dog toys, too many books, too many bills, too much to do. Decluttering needs to focus on getting those piles down to the bare minimum. Remember, too much clutter = too much. Get rid of it!
The jury is currently out on whether detox (using specific food and drinks) actually work. What is clear is that eating and drinking in a clean way won’t hurt you and it may help you feel lighter inside and renew your sense of purpose to live a healthier life. You can target cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts to help clear your system, and avoid excess chemicals.
Have you ever really considered how many chemicals we allow to come into contact with our bodies? Think about the things you use every day: household cleaners, laundry products, air fresheners, toothpaste, drugs, perfume and cosmetics. Chemicals used in these items can cause respiratory distress, and upset stomachs, at the very least. Research in the USA has found that the average woman used nine cosmetic products daily, that can then expose them to 100 chemicals. Be on the safe side and reduce your reliance on these sort of products. Opt for organic alternatives, or use homemade products instead.
Contrary to popular belief, spirituality does not mean you need to become religious if you aren’t already. Your spiritual needs can be addressed through meditation, Mindfulness, or taking more interest in the beauty of nature. Becoming more spiritual can really help to balance your emotional wellbeing.
Get out and about as much as possible and enjoy the green spaces you have around you. Research has shown time and time again that we all feel better when we have access to fresh air and green spaces. Humans do not respond well to staying indoors all the time. If enjoying green spaces is difficult, keep real plants in every room of your house as they will help to detoxify the air and absorb other chemicals on the air.
In our busy lives we often forget the benefits of a good soak. Some of us are lucky and have access to natural mineral hot springs, or hot tubs, but failing that, there’s always a good old-fashioned bath! Fill your bath with piping hot water and add Epsom salts and essential oil (lavender is especially good for relaxing aromatherapy) and enjoy a good cleanse.
If you feel down, irritated, frustrated or stressed every time you’re with someone, this is a sure sign you need to cut them out of your life. You don’t need your mind poisoned, and you shouldn’t put up with any kind of emotional manipulation. This can lead to physical distress and make you ill. At the very least, the amount of time you spend worrying about it, or making elaborate plans to avoid your friend, is not worth the hassle.
If you can sleep peacefully and happily, your body will go on doing everything it needs to do. It’s like a body MOT every night. Your immune system is at work, and any damage is repaired. At the same time, you’ll be boosting your energy levels, ready to take on a new day.
Are you over-reliant on your devices? Is permanent interconnectedness making you feel fatigued? If it is, take a break. The world won’t disappear. Never have devices on your bedroom as they interfere with your circadian rhythm, making it difficult to sleep. If you’re out with your friends, consider how anti-social it is to be constantly on your phone and checking your messages. Is that how much you value the company of friends and family? The message you’re sending is that you’d rather be with someone else.
If some of these things appeal, why not try them out? The importance of a life detox is that it addresses the areas that you need it to. Perhaps by sitting down with a pen and paper, you can make a list of the things you would like to tackle, and make some headway towards a happier, calmer and more fulfilled you.
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