Detoxification is a natural process the body undertakes to neutalise, transform or eliminate unwanted material or toxins.  When we mindfully detoxing we are aiding this natural process by minimising our exposure to unhelpful material and toxins as well as increasing our exposure to matter that will enhance or boost the process.

The purpose of detoxing is to strengthen our natural systems, helping their efficiency, creating balance which also aids to increase our energy levels.

For optimal health and well being though, the physical detoxing is only one side of the equation, as show via the triad of health model, which was created, based on Chinese philosophies, by Dr. George Goodheart who founded applied kinesiology.

For ideal health and well being, all aspects of the triad of health are considered equally important.  The triad being:  structural / physical,   emotional / mental   and   chemical / nutritional.

When one side of the equation is under strain and becomes imbalanced, it causes stress on the other aspects of the triad.  For example a person who is under pressure to meet deadlines, or have considerable responsibilities may find themselves mentally exhausted and short tempered, which often results in physical tension usually that in the shoulders and such stresses can cause the release of chemicals, such as adrenaline or cortisol, within the body.

This also can result in a misinterpretation of the impact, for example whilst the person may be experiencing physical symptoms it could be another aspect of the triad which is the cause.  Therefore if only detoxing the physical aspect, a person could be missing out on key elements which are causing toxins or unwanted side affects.

So let’s consider detoxing from the perspective of the triad of health.

Chemical / Nutritional
Food and Fluids
We know that certain foods and fluids we digest are not good for us and add to the toxic load.  However nutrition is not just the type of food or fluids you put in your body, it is also the quality of those products.  For example Farmers Markets produce is likely to have more nutrients than those which have been placed in storage before sale.

Also these days some products are grown in nutrient poor soil, so its ideal to also take a plant based supplement to ensure your body is receiving the core vitamins and minerals it needs to function effectively and well as enhance and aid the natural detoxing process.

Sugar
A major toxic overload for many is sugary foods.  So cutting out sugary foods is ideal, noting that there are many products with hidden sugars, so read your labels.  Also some sugars are better than others, yet they still are all sugar at the end of the day.

Our body thrives on “live food”,  so the more uncooked and unprocessed vegetables and fruits you can eat, the more your body will respond favourably.  Yet too it has been my experience the more naturally I eat, the less I crave sugar.

Chemicals
Today with over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in the marketplace, which are found in almost every off the shelf, non organic products, most things in your home could be adding to your toxic load.  However the upside is that there are also now days many organic or nature based alternatives, so making better choices can help your health and well being.

Also with the internet it is easy to access information so if you wanted to you can make your own natural alternatives which can be cost effective.  I recently discovered the empowering solutions of essential oils.  In my opinion not only are they effective, yet they also smell divine.  For example I have found that using a few drops of peppermint oil with lemongrass oil has deterred cockroaches yet also left my cupboards smelling heavenly.

Emotional / Mental
Stress
Whether it be on a mental or emotional level take stock of what is causing you stress (people, places, things) and either eliminate it or if that isn’t an option find a way to improve the situation so you are not affected by it.

For the latter option, consider Kinesiology.  I’ve had many clients where elimination of the stressful situation wasn’t an option, so they used Kinesiology to strengthen their inner self in order for the situation to no longer affect them.

Words, Thoughts, Beliefs
Each word or thought creates a neurological response in our body in which our cells are receptors for, which means what we think or say can add to or create a toxic environment.

We can often be our own worst enemy simply by the negative terminology we use, limiting beliefs we hold onto and the ineffective things we say to ourselves or even think.   Mostly of which people are not even aware they are doing.

First step is to increase or become aware of how your state things, what words you are using, what you believe which is restricting you and holding you back.  What comments, even in jest, do you say to yourself or about yourself (aloud or silently) and others.

The next step when you hear such negativity is to stop yourself and change what you are saying or thinking, turning it into a more effective and positive statement.

We don’t suggest people to become Pollyanna’s however stating “I feel awful” v’s “I feel a little less than great” helps the unconscious mind to find ways to feel great rather than keep feeling awful.

Beliefs
There are many techniques to support changing beliefs and one suggestion is to write down your belief, next scribe all the references that you have to support that belief as being true.  Which of those are perceptions and which of those are true.

Next pen the references which you have to support that an opposite and supportive belief is true.    Get as many references as you can, use other people or situations as examples.

Now consider the cost, right now and in the future, of allowing that negative belief to continue to have a hold over you.  Write them down, keep finding as many as you can, expanding on those you have already noted because when we find enough costs and create enough pain around the negative believe we will embed a reason to let that belief go.

Structural / Physical
Whilst we have somewhat touched on this area within the previous two areas, there still are additional situations for consideration.  Noting structural / physical typically relates to your physical body yet can also relate to other forms.

Exercise
Whether we are or aren’t doing exercise can have a major impact on our structure and physical body.  Exercise aids the lymphatic system which is crucial in the detoxing process,  so no exercise may result in a sluggish lymphatic system.

Yet too even if we are doing an exercise which we enjoy it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best for us.  Extreme training, high intensity training or over training may cause a number of biochemical responses which could result in serious damage to one’s health, both the short and long term.

The key is to find the medium (as in type of exercise and amount of) which your body responds healthily.

Sleep Deprivation
When you consider that sleep deprivation was a form of torture, lack of sleep can have a major impact on our health and well being.  There can be either internal or external factors which are impacting sleep, consider what these are for you and then seek natural solutions.

Environments
The physical environment in which place ourselves, whether this be our workplace, home or even where we socialise can play havoc with our health and well being.  It could be a toxic environment due to the personalities that also “inhabit” there, or perhaps due to the building is unhealthy (mould, air conditioning, no natural light).

If any of these environments are less than healthy for you (and that can be for a myriad of reasons), then it is time to consider applying neutralisation, transformation or elimination to that environment.

Stuff
Material things, such as books, clothes, magazines, paperwork, furniture, can create or add to clutter.  Many people hold onto things, some of which may have never been referenced to and add little value.  Or things which hold connections to the past and are a subconscious reminder of a time, person, place which undermines our now.

“Spring” clean regularly, if it doesn’t serve  your or you won’t use it then perhaps it is time to let it go.

Considering the purpose of detoxing, as well as the triad of health, it is easy to see that when detoxing its much more than our physical body.  There are many ways to help strengthen our natural systems and to create efficiency and balance.

Any change at first can be less than easy, however small and gradual changes are the key.  Ultimately when you start seeing and feeling the benefits you’ll appreciate the process you’ve undertaken.