Ten strategies for a ‘detoxed lifestyle’

A great alternative to a regular detox program is to create a detoxed lifestyle. This enduring approach allows you to enjoy life’s pleasures, while at the same time caring for your health on a daily basis.

A regular detox program aims to reduce or eliminate physical vices such as unhealthy foods, caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and recreational drugs while simultaneously increasing exercise and using techniques for reducing stress.

All of these things are wonderful, but can result in quick fix, short lived benefits. Aiming to create a detoxed lifestyle will enable you to enjoy good health for life.

The place to begin is to understand what drives us toward the vices in the first place. Most soloists are extremely busy and have little time for self care. Without the time to relax and reflect, we can find ourselves operating on automatic pilot without stopping to consider whether we’ve actually created lives that are really fulfilling.

Without continually reviewing our levels of happiness, we can find ourselves filling up the empty spaces with things that provide short term pleasure, like a block of chocolate or half a bottle of wine. If we take the time to think about what is really in the void – maybe it’s a need for love or a need to be understood and validated - we often eliminate the need for the vice.

Here are ten ways to live a detoxed lifestyle and actively promote good health:

1. Find someone to love

Most people want a partner – some just don’t want to admit it to themselves because they fear it won’t happen. Don’t be afraid to be proactive.

2. Connect with others

People who have a good social network are the happiest. If you don’t have great friends, make it your mission to get out and meet new people.

3. Exercise regularly

Exercise is not only a means of improving your physical health, but a great way of creating time for you. Aim to exercise at least three times a week to a point that you get your heart rate up for at least twenty minutes

4. Schedule time to relax

Even if it’s only fifteen minutes each day, slowing down is essential for all of us. Meditation is a wonderful way to calm the mind but if it’s not for you, lying down listening to your favourite piece of music will do wonders.

5. Nurture yourself

Prevention is the key to a successful lifestyle detox program. Book a massage treatment once a month and make the next booking before you leave so you remember how important it is to prioritise self care.

6. Breathe

Create mini-breaks in your day where you take the time to do at least ten deep breaths. Extend the breath deep into your belly and exhale slowly to really purify your system.

7. Stretch

A couple of stretching exercises is a wonderful way to start your day. The yoga sun salutation pose is an excellent series of stretches to perform.

8. Enjoy your vices in moderation

If it’s what you enjoy, have a glass of wine or two each day and ideally allow two alcohol free days per week. Moderation is key. There’s no point in detoxing for a month and then going out on a bender once you’ve finished.

9. Eat well five days a week

…and relax the rules on the other two.

10. Talk to someone

Don’t wait until you’re feeling overwhelmed or depressed before getting help. Have a couple of sessions with a counsellor or coach to talk things through. Often you’ll find that just the process of airing your concerns is enough to lift a weight from your shoulders.

Do any of these detoxed lifestyle strategies work for you? Or do you have other tips to share? Let us know via a comment.

Kate James works with her clients to help them clarify their personal values and strengths so that they can determine a life direction that feels like the perfect fit.

7 comments | Add your own

Chickens ~ buy or rent a few chooks for your backyard...they are so peaceful..and they make you feel very relaxed & homely & calm while they potter round the garden eating bugs and laying eggs. (For the record we are allowed 20 chickens in our backyard in Brisbane!! - who says he are not still a country town!!) Heather Smith from BRISBANE
Never met a calorie I didn't like !! But, great thoughts Kate - Thanks - will try harder! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
Rent a chook?????!!!!!!!! Gregg Utting from Whyalla, South Australia
Try a Shiatsu massage as it hits 4 of the targets:
* Its a massage
* Its really relaxing
* It incorporates appropriate stretching
* The therapist encourages use of breathing to relax into postures or pressure points
... now that's time efficient.
I have to come clean though - I am a shiatsu therapist flying solo. Tim Boote from Adelaide
Good advice! However a good detox program rather than being a quick fix can help in many areas. You can lose weight, decrease stress and increase energy. Certain programs can even affect the 'brain chemistry that produces feelings of love and romance' according to Dr John Gray. So whilst applying all of the ideas above is a fantastic idea a good detox program can achieve lasting health and lifestyle results.
"I help people achieve great health and home based business success."
James.Ising@aanet.com.au
www.HomeProfits.isagenix.com James Ising from Darwin
Thanks for this article Kate. I had slowly taken more 'me time' with exercise, breathing & stretching but when I set up my home business I found I was lured into the office just to check my emails for work and then I wouldn't leave! I now have set a rule for myself that I turn on the computer and don't open any email unless it is work related. Once I know how much work is waiting, I then make my cup of tea and walk outside into the garden for at least 10 minutes. It's not much, but often turns into 20 minutes if I know there is no work pending. I found it improves my creative thinking, motivation and enthusiasm. Now - to just work on those 2 alcohol free days ............ Marie Chandler, Office Support Online from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Such great suggestions here....thank you all. Even though I've worked with my clients for many years in the area of work life balance, there's always plenty of room for improvement for me personally.
Marie - I love your suggestion about taking a cup of tea out to the garden for ten minutes. I don't allow myself enough of the 'doing nothing' time so I'll give that a try! Kate James from Melbourne | Read my articles

7 comments | Add your own

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