Detox, or spring cleaning for the body

When winter weather and heavy, hard-to-digest foods drain your energy, the ideal way to regain vitality is a detox or a weekend body cleanse.

Winter is not a kind season for our bodies. Fleeing the cold, we hide in an armchair, wrapped in a warm blanket, with a cup of hot, heavily sweetened tea. On winter days we avoid outdoor physical activity, hurry back home and warm up by eating fatty treats.

How does the body signal that it needs cleansing?

After several months of a lazy lifestyle, our body becomes overloaded. It fills with build-up and other contaminants. The result is extra kilograms, skin imperfections and a general feeling of malaise. Unfortunately, most of us are not aware that low energy, high fatigue and tension indicate an overloaded body. To counteract this and step lightly into the new spring season, it's worth deciding on a body cleanse and trying a detox.

What is a detox?

A detox is nothing more than a form of internal housekeeping. It allows you to remove build-up and other harmful substances from the body. Its mechanism is based on several days of a radical change in eating habits. A few days before the detox we should give up stimulants (coffee, tobacco products and alcohol) and also exclude heavy foods from the diet, such as red meat or wheat flour. This prepares the body for effective detoxification. To prevent the detox from causing excessive strain on the body, it's worth learning a few rules about how to cleanse the body. A detox should last no longer than 2 3 days. During its course, the basic food items become herbs, fresh vegetables and fruits, seeds, nuts and water, consumed at regular intervals, e.g. every two to three hours. It's worth remembering that vegetables should be the main ingredient of meals, while fruits only an addition, as they contain considerably more sugar. Frequent consumption of large amounts of fluids, such as herbal infusions and water, will additionally strengthen the cleansing effect. It's worth supporting the cleansing process with not too intense physical activity. An hour spent in the pool, walking or a leisurely bike ride will allow the body to rest actively without overburdening it.

It's safest to introduce dietary restrictions on days when we have free time, because a side effect of cleansing can be temporary tiredness and weakness. These are not pleasant sensations; in some people they can cause particular psychological discomfort (apathy and irritability) and physical discomfort (fatigue, abdominal pain, an unpleasant taste in the mouth). Over time, however, the negative symptoms subside and we feel increasingly better.

How to consolidate the effects of a detox?

For the positive effects of a detox to fully reveal themselves, after a short detox you should slowly return to your daily eating habits. In the transitional stage you should eat easily digestible meals: groats, rice, lean meat or fish. Many dietitians and nutrition experts believe that a detox or cleansing diet carried out regularly and sensibly, preferably in consultation with a professional, is the best way to enjoy good mental and physical health.

Detox and weight loss are not the same!

Before deciding to undergo a detox, however, you must realize what this procedure is for. Many people confuse a detox with a weight-loss diet and expect that after a few days their weight will drop. Therefore, the decision to detox should be made with the awareness that its effect is primarily improved well-being and better functioning of the internal organs. Only by being aware of the goals of a detox will we be able to reap satisfaction from the noticeable effects of the body's purification and lightness. And if you are in Ciechocinek, check the offer for weight loss and body cleansing at Villa Park Med & SPA.