How to Detox With Dignity

Detoxing reputedly flushes your body of its toxins by depriving your system of substances such as sugar, fatty foods and oil, thus giving it time to rejuvenate. It has become popular, yet many people are scared by stories of difficult detoxes that cause severe headaches, nausea and energy depletion. While it is true that detoxing can be difficult, you can avoid these symptoms and make detoxing a more dignified experience.

Things You'll Need

• Lots of water
• Pen
• Calender

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose a day to end the detox.

  Decide how long you will detox. Most detox programs recommend to stay on the program for five to seven days, but you can do two to 10 days. Whatever you decide, write the end date on your calender. Giving yourself this goal will help you get through the harder days because the end will always be in sight.

• 2

  Choose which foods to take out and which to leave in.

  Find a plan that's right for you. If you're starting out, look for a lighter detox plan such as a raw food detox in which you can still eat solid vegetables and fruits. Choosing a plan that suits you will make your detox much easier and more rewarding. If you're unsure which plan suits you best, talk to a doctor or nutritionist.

• 3

  Ease into the detox. Start slowly by taking one day to eliminate two things from your diet. The first day, eliminate sugar and flour, the next day eliminate meat and oily food, the next day stop smoking or drinking coffee. Taking the time to ease into and out of the detox will make it that much easier.

• 4

  Water will be your life-force on any detox.

  Drink lots of water. Drink about 2 liters of water a day. Drinking this amount will fight dehydration and help flush out your body. Most detox plans will cause dehydration. It is this more than anything else that causes headaches, body pains and nausea. Staying hydrated will make you feel fuller and can prevent these major side effects.

• 5

  Cut out heavy exercise while detoxing. Especially if this is your first time, it's best to stay off the treadmill, at least in the first few days. When you exercise, you use up a lot of energy and a lot of water, putting strain on your body. During a detox your body will find it more difficult to recover and you could make yourself sick.