Quick Cleanse for the Holidays

As the seasons change and the holidays approach, I’m going to briefly switch my focus and talk a little bit about what one can do to speedily and effectively detoxify the body, for example, the day after going to a holiday party and consuming lots of heavy, sugar-laden treats and alcohol.  We all do this every once in a while, especially around this time of year, and sometimes it can be a little tough to know just how to get back on track.  Nothing can fully take away the next day hangover effects of a night on the town (or too much cake), but there are a few remedies to help the body  repair itself a little quicker and help you feel a little bit better.

The first remedy is instinctive: drink plenty of water!  Because alcohol is a diuretic, the body gets dehydrated as a side effect of consuming it.  Dehydration causes every function of the body to be impaired.  Emptying a packet of a product like Emergen-C will give the body extra electrolytes, thereby rehydrating faster, as well as vitamin C.  While vitamin C hasn’t necessarily been shown to immediately turn around the effects of  excess sugar in the body, it is a powerful antioxidant that stimulates cell renewal and repair; it may help to flush out toxins with the help of the water you’re drinking.  Adding fresh lemon or lime juice to hot water takes rehydrating one step further; the citrus helps to purge the body of toxins from alcohol or sugar by alkalizing the acidic environment in the stomach caused by what’s been consumed.

Exercise is another way to quickly purge the body of toxins, even though it might be the last activity you feel like doing!  Believe it or not, it WILL make you feel better, as sweating is one of the body’s quickest detoxification mechanisms.  Also, as alcohol is a depressant and sugar can have the mental effects of depressants, exercise (even a brisk walk) raises endorphin levels, providing mental clarity and a better mood.

As far as food, staying away from the greasy, sugary foods that taste good the next morning is an important step to any quick detox.  A balanced meal with protein, veggies, and some unrefined carbohydrates; for example, eggs with sauteed spinach and sprouted-grain bread, will provide your body with the fuel it needs to get back on track.

Additionally, after these steps have been followed, a rest or a good night’s sleep is the best gift you can give your body when it’s not feeling its best.  The body does by far the most repair work while sleeping, allowing you to awaken refreshed, revitalized, and sure you won’t party like that again until next year!

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