Does anybody else feel like between coworkers, friends, family, and randos on the subway you are constantly having to guard yourself from sneezes and coughs?
This winter the seasonal cold and flu have been passed around like the plague; and it seems like as soon as you get rid of the last cold a new brutal barrage of symptoms knocks you back onto your deathbed.
how are you taking care of yourself?
Now more than ever we need to make sure we’re taking care of our health and wellness. Double up on your vitamin C, don’t forget to wash your hands, and don’t be afraid to stink anyone who isn’t sneezing/coughing into their arm.
But an element of wellness that is often forgotten is what is already in our body. We are exposed to toxins every day and they find their way into our bodies through consumption, breathing, and physical contact.
Even if you eat clean and use all-natural products there are toxins in the air, in the unavoidable plastics we encounter, and most likely (and most terrifying of all) in our water.
the toxins around us
If you live in a city you are probably exposed to some degree of smog. This means you’re inhaling sulfur dioxide from industrial emissions, nitrogen oxides from vehicle emissions, and hydrocarbons from burning fossil fuels–all toxins.
A number of toxins can be found in the plastic surrounding our food, beauty products, and bottled water. Phthalates, bisphenol-A (BPA), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are all in certain plastics and are linked to cancer, hormone imbalance and other health risks.
Some of these are virtually unavoidable in modern life and they take a toll on our health without us even realizing. When our bodies are filled with toxins it makes it harder for it to do its job.
A body and spirit detox
It is important for us to reset our bodies through detox. Ridding our bodies of toxins removes any strains on the system and keeps us functioning efficiently.
After searching for some all-natural ways to detox, I found Wellness Mama’s natural detoxifying baths. Here is what I found worked best for me.
Clay Detox Bath
Bentonite clay is one of my favorite things to put on my skin in any capacity, so this detox bath really spoke to me. The clay binds to heavy metals, pulling them out of your skin. It also promotes circulation throughout the body and helps with immunity by killing harmful bacteria.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup bentonite clay
- ½ cup Epsom salts
- Calming essential oils as needed
Instructions
First add the epsom salt and essential oils to your warm or hot bath water (the hotter the water, the more detoxifying it is). The epsom salt also helps remove toxins from your body, as well as replenishes magnesium.
There are two ways to include bentonite clay in your bath. You can either mix the clay with water in a non-metal bowl until there are no more lumps and then add that mixture to your bath. Or you could stand in your bath and apply a coat of the thicker clay/water mixture to your body, let it sit, and then get in the bath.
Mustard Detox Bath
Mustard powder has historically been used as a natural remedy for colds and the flu. This spice is known for its soothing properties and boost circulation to promote healthy skin and muscles. By invigorating your bodily systems it will help your body naturally rid itself of toxins.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of organic mustard powder
- 1 cup of epsom salts
- Essential oils if desired
Instructions:
Create your mixture in a bowl as you run your bath, then simply add your mustard bath mixture to your bath water.
Mental and spiritual health
As we know, health is holistic, so while we detox our bodies we should keep our mental and spiritual health in mind.
Give your spirit a little reset as well with a new mantra to cleanse you of any emotional or creative blockage that sometimes accompanies the winter season and all the head colds and brain fog that comes with it.
incorporating your mantra
By repeating your mantra as you physically detox your body you are syncing up multiple areas of wellness, for a well-rounded, fresh start.
The mantra I chose with the idea of honoring my health and focusing on the good I have been given went like this:
I know in life all things must come to an end
So let me give thanks for the present
And rejoice in every moment
I am exactly where I am suppose to be
And I love all the time I am given
I have very loosely taken and adapted the idea of the Om Jum Saha mantra found in both the Rig Veda and the Yajur Veda which talks about victory over death and is used to boost overall health and resistance.
The following post A Detox Ritual For Your Body + Spirit was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.
How do you detox your mind, body, and spirit? Share with us in the comments below.