You can approach a detox in many ways. Ideally, you’d do a detox over weeks of rest, healthful eating, massage, accelerated elimination protocols, and supportive herbs — the way it’s done in traditional ayurvedic practice. But who has time to do that in real life?
To be successful detoxing, you need to know what to expect and how to prepare. Here are some guidelines to get you going:
Pick the right time.
If you’re sick, don’t detox unless you do so under the guidance of a qualified care provider. If you’re training for a big athletic event, it’s probably not a good time. If you’re pregnant, think twice. Historically, detoxification is done either at the fall and spring equinoxes or once each season.
Plan ahead.
You’ll probably be modifying your diet quite a bit, so be sure to shop for what you need and have it on hand. If you’re detoxing during your usual work week, you may want to cook ahead so you don’t have to think too hard about what to eat each day.
Revise your exercise schedule.
Your energy level may very well be different during detox, so extreme exercise routines are often difficult to do during this time. Be prepared to do less.
Get a journal and write about how you feel each day.
This step is actually really important because, as the days pass, you’ll forget how you felt earlier in the detox process. You’ll likely want to compare notes during your detox because different phases may stir up different things. As you add back any eliminated foods, write down any reactions you get.
Tell your friends and family and ask for their support.
Sticking with a detox by yourself can be difficult. Having others to talk with, or at least to cheer you on, can make a big difference. You can become a support for each other and stay in touch by e-mail to ask and answer questions, share ideas on what to eat, and generally keep the fun in it.
