To Detox or not to detox after the holidays

I was in a major drug store yesterday just days after Christmas and just days before New Year's Eve and already the store was changing over to items to help you with some of those health related New Year's resolutions that you may be contemplating. One display of items caught my eye and brought this debate up in my mind once again: to detox or not to detox after the over indulgences of the holidays?

A detox or a cleanse is like spring cleaning for your body. During the holidays and quite frankly though out the entire year we consume food that leaves toxins in our body. We also ingest toxins from medications and even the air that we breathe. Our body is a machine and when we become overrun by toxins our machine, like any other, will not perform optimally. Our bodies detox everyday naturally but especially during the holidays when moderation is not necessarily the theme, we can become overly toxic. You may feel tired, bloated, sluggish, and lose concentration. Do these sound familiar? You may be feeling a little toxic.

You are not alone. Millions of Americans turn to detox cleanses to solve this health problem, Cleansing has been deeply rooted in spiritual rituals for thousands of years. Many call it fasting or even juicing but it has been used to improve health since the ancient Chinese. Even with this being an ancient tradition, you may be asking yourself is it safe to cleanse and is it worth it to cleanse. Cleansing is not for the fate of heart. It can come with many benefits according to diet experts but it also can come with nasty side effects.

Some of the health benefits of cleansing your body naturally internally can be:

Removal of toxins and wastes

Improved digestion

Improved sleep patterns

Make you feel lighter and revitalized

Improved skin appearance

Kick start weight loss and aide in weight management

Improved concentration and mood

When considering a cleanse you have to take a look at your current overall health and consider whether or not a cleanse is the right choice for you.

While cleanses use natural ingredients and gentle stimulants to get your body on track there can be side effects. Side effects depend on the length of the cleanse, the type of cleanse, and whether you have cleansed before or not.

Common side effects from a whole body cleanse include:

Cramping

Increased fatigue from your body working to clean itself

Changes in bowel movements

Temporary changes in sleep patterns

Some of these side effects can leave you house bound and so many cleansers choose a weekend to detoxify. 

The store shelves are full of ways to accomplish your detox. There are 3 day, 7 day, and even 10 day cleanses that use supplements to force your body to detox. These programs also contain instructions on what you can and cannot eat with each individual program.The cost can be between $14.99-$79.99. 

You can also choose an all natural approach to your cleanse and try one of the "cleansing diets" that are online. These are also called "detox diets". Most of them use juicing or water consumption as the base for eliminating the toxins that have collected in your body.

So experts and health writers, including myself, are still at odds as to whether you should cleanse or not. I myself have cleansed and have felt both the nasty side effects and the spectacular benefits. I do believe that if I am feeling particularly toxic from food and beverages then a cleanse is the way to go. I also allow myself those days to just concentrate on renewing my body and mind. I eliminate stress (as much as is possible), I journal, I meditate, and I perform light exercises. For me it is more of a whole body renewal and not just a cleanse.

A cleanse can jump start your health for the new year but may not be for everyone. You should always consult your doctor before changing your diet or adding any supplements to your regimen. Supplements can interfere with medications that you are already taking.  Be sure to research all products and diets thoroughly to find the right "cleanse" for you and your body.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year, the Heather Way!