Inspiration For Alternative Detoxes
By Gee Marling
We want to reshape the way we think about detoxing so that the focus is on self-care rather than deprivation. Whilst elimination of some nutritional allergens is central to the concept of detoxing, there are other ways and means that allow us to detox in a more gentle and nurturing way. Here our suggestions for a more holistic approach to detoxing for both the body and the mind.
Paris-based Atelier Nubio create on demand juice cleanses programmes delivered to your door
Meal Deliveries
The main problem with traditional juice only detoxes is that they simply do not work for those whose lifestyles don’t permit them to be near a blender or juicer at every meal time. For those commuting or travelling frequently it’s also difficult to find the time to procure specific ingredients let alone to prepare them after a long day in the office. If you’re really committed to the idea of cleansing but struggling to incorporate the realities of detoxing into your daily life, why not make things a little easier on yourself and use a meal delivery service? Companies like The Mindful Chef, The Detox Kitchen (both London), Atelier Nubio (Paris) or Sakara (US-based) offer bespoke programmes that deliver delicious meals to home or work, wherever suits you best.
As tempting as it looks caffeine is one allergen you might want to try eliminating
The Power of One
Cutting out all of the major allergens can feel like too much of an undertaking to the novice detoxer. So how about focusing on just one to begin with. Try coffee for example, or dairy, or gluten but maybe not all three simultaneously. Once you have conquered one and start to feel the benefits of its elimination from your diet, that should give you the confidence and the impetus to take more profound detoxing inroads. The benefit of eliminating one allergen from your diet at a time is that you have a better chance of seeing more clearly which one is having the most negative effect upon you. If, for example, the moment you re-introduce caffeine a huge breakout follows then you’ll know that it’s just the coffee beans you’ll have to banish rather than eggs, bread and wine - after all, a little bit of what you fancy is good for you!
Rediscover the pleasure of watching the world go by without being distracted by your phone
Digital Detox
Why does it feel so hard to disconnect from our phones? It’s almost as if we’ve developed a reflex that sees us reach for them the moment we sit down to focus on any given task, or when we are left alone in a cafe whilst a friend goes to the bathroom. We cannot sit peacefully to enjoy the quiet few moments before bed or eat our breakfast mindfully without unlocking our phone to begin what will become a full day of scrolling, refreshing and sending/receiving. These devices make life an awful lot easier and more convenient, but it’s hard to argue that they don’t take as much as they give. Try deleting a few apps that you feel encourage the most mindless scrolling (yes, you know the one we mean) and be amazed as it’s importance to your life diminishes and your productivity levels increase as a result. It doesn’t have to be permanent, just more regulated.
Try watching a documentary about the natural world rather than violent drama or true crime | National Geographic: Photo of Jane Goodall by Michael Nichols
Follow the positive
Whilst the surge in quality and output of audio and televisual offerings is undoubtedly a good thing, especially in these gloomy winter months, it’s important to be aware of what our minds consume as we start to wind down of an evening. Whilst the gripping nature of true crime documentaries is undeniable, one can’t shake the feeling that there’s something morally bankrupt about feasting on someone else's misery. So don’t. Give them up for a month and see how you feel. In fact, try detoxing from all other negative sources of information such as news apps and gossip websites whilst you’re at it. Treat your mind to a week free from harrowing news stories and bloodthirsty TV dramas and see what a difference it makes.
Cleanse your home of unnecessary clutter
Cleanse Your Space
Not traditionally considered part of a detox, a decluttering of your home or main living space can benefit your mind and body in ways equal to those of nutritional elimination. By clearing out the things that no longer serve you, you’re freeing up space for the things that do. Once upon a time garish wall hangings were you thing, now they make your eyes tired just looking at them - so replace them with something that invokes peace and calm. Hanging on to old correspondence, magazines, projects from courses you’ve enrolled on that simply collect dust is of no benefit and it can feel like cutting yourself free from heavy chains once you’ve taken the plunge and decided to bin them. Detoxing your home is one of the easiest ways to start the year feeling spiritually cleansed, so don’t delay, make a cup of something warm, stick your favourite podcast on and start liberating yourself from unnecessary clutter.