Winter Detox

Winter is a difficult time for many of us. I've written about SAD: seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by low levels of light during the winter months. But even if you don't suffer from SAD, winter offers other challenges.

We are indoors more in the winter, breathing dry, recycled air instead of fresh air. We might not get as much exercise because it's too cold for long walks and outdoor sports. We might be eating more food than usual, and choosing sugary carbs instead of fresh veggies. We often neglect to drink water because we just don't feel as thirsty when we're cold. Often we drink more caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea in an attempt to feel more awake, or just to get warm. Our skin tends to be dry, cracked, chapped, and irritated. We feel sluggish, fatigued, and just stuck.

What can we do about these winter issues?

How about a winter detox?

When I talk about a "detox," I don't mean going into rehab. My kind of detox just means supporting your body's natural immunity in safe and healthy ways. Safe detoxing is not extreme! Here are some gentle ways to detox during the winter months:

1) Give up sugar. This may not sound gentle, or even possible, but it is definitely worth a try. Even reducing your intake of added sugar will make a difference. Refined sugar creates inflammation in the body, tends to cause weight gain, can bring on insulin resistance, and may eventually lead to disease. Try substituting whole foods like sweet potatoes, blueberries, bananas, and apples for refined foods like cookies and cakes. You can also bake your own treats with no added sugar.

2) Get more exercise. Getting your sweat flowing is a great way to detox. Winter makes it more difficult to exercise outdoors, but not impossible. Get some good snowboots and take a hike. Or invest in some snowshoes, cross county skis, or ice skates. And if the cold is just too much, explore some indoor exercise options. Join a gym. Try Crossfit. Or check out your local Rec and Parks programs. There is an exercise class out there for everyone!

3) Take a detox bath. A hot bath will help your body detoxify by releasing toxins through your skin. Adding Epsom salts, which contain magnesium, helps muscles release tension. You can also try adding baking soda, and/or other natural salts. A drop or two of lavender oil or another essential oil will help you relax and also smell great! After your bath, use a natural lotion or oil to keep your skin moist and hydrated.

4) Add a probiotic. The gut biome comprises around 70% of the immune system. In order to feed the healthy bacteria in your gut, and thus keep your entire system functioning well, you might want to try adding some probiotics to your diet. Anything which has been naturally fermented, and not heated or cooked, will contain probiotics. This includes kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, miso, and natto. If you've never heard of some of these products, do a little research. Always make sure you're purchasing products with live, active cultures.

5) Try yoga. If you haven't explored yoga as a way of detoxifying the body, you are missing out! Yoga postures which include twists and rotations are a wonderful method of squeezing out toxins. These postures also increase blood flow, which brings warmth, nutrients, and better hydration to various muscles, joints, and organs, while helping to carry away the toxins which are excreted. Besides the detox, you will also relax, release tension, breathe more deeply, and just feel better.

Try something new this winter to detox! Your body and mind will both thank you.