You probably know that I am a big proponent of keeping it clean. Clean body, clean mind, clean diet, and clean home. In our world it is so easy for our bodies to get overwhelmed by toxic substances. Between the polluted air and water, pesticides, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, food additives, and secondary smoke, its a wonder any of us can stay as healthy as we do.

The toxic buildup in our systems can lead to all kinds of diseases and ailments, and significantly reduce our lifespan. You may be suffering from toxin overload if you are experiencing mental fog and memory loss, unexplained headaches or backaches, brittle hair or nails, and/or frequent allergies.

One of my most important secrets to health is detoxing. At least twice a year, in the spring and autumn, I do a juice cleanse and detoxifying regimen. And then throughout the year, Ill enjoy a one day fast occasionally to keep everything working optimally. I strive to get plenty of exercise, and enjoy lots of hot Epsom salt baths.

Sometimes it can be nice to go to a healing retreat center, but often I like to engage in a detox from the comfort of home. Here are some simple tips to clean your system, without having to go to a spa.

Home Detoxifying Tips

Youll want to support your body in as many ways as possible. This means being careful about what you eat and drink, and aiding the cleansing process however you can.

~ Eat: Avoid processed food, sugar of any kind and other simple carbs, meat, dairy, grains, fried food, baked goods, yeast, excessive oil, soy, alcohol, smoke, pesticides, and chemical cleaners.

Aim to eat primarily raw vegetables and fruit. If you are going to have cooked food, go with lightly steamed veggies with only a little extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. For longer detoxes, you can have some soaked nuts and seeds and legume sprouts for protein.

Leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, garlic and other alliums, citrus fruit, green apples, and berries are the best foods for detoxifying.

~ Drink: The body needs plenty of fluid to detox. Drink 1/2 of your body weight (in pounds) as ounces of water per day (i.e. a 150 lb person would need to drink at least 75 ounces of water per day).

Add fresh lemon or lime juice to your water to alkalinize your blood. A dash of cayenne helps with the cleansing, too.

Also enjoy fresh vegetable juices (not fruit juice, spikes blood sugar too much), fresh (not canned) coconut water, and fresh ginger juice.

With the guidance of your nutritionist or health care provider, drink herbal teas to cleanse the liver (dandelion, burdock, ginger, fennel seed, and milk thistle), chelating clays to cleanse the colon (Bentonite), and potassium broths.

~ Move: Exercise that works up a sweat is one of the best ways to detox. Jumping and rebounding are especially good for stimulating and clearing the lymphatic system. Aim for at least 45 minutes of vigorous exercise, 6 days a week but speak with your health care professional about exercising before you start a new routine.

Yoga, Tai Chi, and other mind/body/spirit modalities also gently detox the body while relieving stress and help to calm the mind.

~ Soak: Hot water baths with Epsom salts or Bentonite clay draw toxins out of the skin. Its best to take these baths right before bed, as they can be very relaxing and might make you tired, but will help you feel refreshed the next day.

~ Rub: Dry-brushing is another great way to stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems and cleanse the body. After my morning meditation, I like to rub my entire body with a natural bristle brush from foot to heart, using a long stroke on limbs and a circular stroke around joints.

Truly detoxifying your body is a lifestyle choice, not something you do now and again. But these simple practices which you can enjoy from the comfort of your home are great ways to support the natural detoxification processes of your body for health and longevity. And you can start anytime, with something as simple as a tall glass of water with lemon juice.