How to support your mind during a cleanse – Mini Blog Series – Part3
This is the last blog from this mini-series about cleansing our body to be more energetic, reduce some of those unpleasant symptoms we suffer from and to lose some excess weight. In the previous blog I wrote about the importance of adding to your cleanse some lifestyle rituals and routines which will make it very effective. Today I writing about what I call “emotional toxicity “
YOUR THOUGHTS CAN BE TOXIC
Many people don’t realise that thoughts can be toxic. Our thoughts have a direct impact on our biology. When we constantly worry, are fearful or are angry about things, people or situations we activate a stress response. Our system is very primitive, and it will activate the same chemical response that a real threat would do. It basically prepares us for fight or flight. This response is activated by releasing chemicals into our system: the hormones adrenaline and cortisol which initiate a series of physiological changes into our body.
You must know that the detoxification of cortisol occurs mainly in the liver where all the other detoxification processes also occur, plus the liver is responsible for many other functions, so, negative thoughts have an impact on our detoxification load but not only. Chronic activation of the stress system increases visceral adiposity, belly fat, decrease lean body mass, and has a negative impact on bone mass density which means it makes your bone more brittle and prone to fractures.
HOW TO MASTER YOUR MIND
Your thoughts can be powerful and toxic: choose very well!
But how to? How can we control our stressful thoughts? It is indeed easier said than done but with practice we can master our mind!
ACTION STEP NUMBER ONE: MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION
Mindfulness and meditation are wonderful lifelong tools.
They teach us to live in the present and not create unnecessary negative anticipations about the future or bring up regrets and negative emotions from the past. During a cleanse it is even more important that you adopt daily practices which help you to deeply relax.
You see, when your body goes through a cleanse and you take away some of the foods that it is addicted to, especially sugar, caffeine and grains, your body will naturally respond and ask for them back. It doesn’t do this in a comfortable or easy way. It is important for you to realize that only unhealthy, toxic substances are addictive.
If you experience uncomfortable sensations, these are signals that repair is under way and the removal of toxins from your body is occurring.
This is the time when you need to dig dip and not give up!
And this is the time when your mind will also be challenged with negative thoughts or thoughts of self-doubts so, it is extremely important that you are aware that this might happen, and the intensity will be different for each of you. Be aware that it is a normal reaction and be prepared to face it.
ACTION STEP NUMBER TWO: HOW TO RELAX AND SHIFT YOUR FOCUS
When our mind is fearful, in doubts and our body going through uncomfortable sensations, what can you do to feel better?
The following are few relaxing techniques to practice during a cleanse and in the long term.
1) Magnesium baths in the evening: add 2 cups of Epsom salts and 10 drop of lavender oil and just soak for how long as you can. I like the magnesium salts from Better.You and as essential oil I use DoTerra.
2) Movement in the form of yoga, stretching, walking in nature – rather than on treadmill inside, find a green space where to go for a nice daily walk.
3) Breathing Meditation
This is a wonderful and incredibly simple tool that will calm and centre you in any situation. It can also be used when you feel overwhelmed by a craving. Very often the craving will pass by the end of 10–20 breaths.
To practice: Close your eyes, place your hands on your belly and just tune into the sensations around the inhale and the exhale. Gradually begin to deepen the breath, taking 10–20 slow deep conscious breaths deeply into and out of the belly. Do this meditation often.
4) Visualization
Now is a wonderful time to put attention on what you would like to bring into your life and one of the most powerful tools you can use is images.
By creating images in your mind and connecting emotionally with these images, you begin create neuron connection in your brain which will help you to achieve your goals quicker … this is science not some lalala land theory … athletes use visioning as an important tool for their success , they literally train their mind to win. If creating images in your mind is difficult, create your own vision board by finding pictures out of magazines or other media that represent your goals and dreams. This is a powerful tool, so really take the time to work on what you DO want.
When visualizing, stay with your image and the feelings it evokes for a good 3-5 minutes.
5) Gratitude Meditation
Gratitude is the mother of all good feeling. Each day spend few minutes at the beginning or at the end of the day feeling gratitude for something that has happen during your day or your previous day… don’t be generic, be very specific and find 3-5 things, acts, events that happened to you that you want express your gratitude for … for example my gratitude list last night was
I am grateful for the dinner my daughter cooked,
I am grateful for the unplanned run I had due to the bad storm,
I am grateful for an unexpected call from a friend from Italy
The more you practice grateful meditation, the more you will see and appreciate the beauty in your life and that beauty will become the centre of your attention, leaving less space and time for stressful thoughts.
BE PREPARED
All the tools I have discussed in this blog are extremely supportive during a cleanse when your body is getting rid of toxicity and will be challenged physically, and your mind will be challenged too. Your mind will want you to stop, to give up, to stop the discomfort with a quick fix. If you are prepared, with the right plan at hand and the right tools to use, your cleanse will be successful and you will feel amazing by the end of it… more energetic, brighter, with less symptoms and less weight!
The immediate and long-term benefits of a cleanse are worthy of investing some time in getting ready properly.
It is easy to be discouraged and give up when you are going through this process alone. We often make promises to yourself about being healthier, exercising, looking after our body and often we break them because we either haven’t planned properly , life gets in the way, we don’t have anyone else to be accountable to, or to support us and so when the first obstacles get in the way, we give up on ourself.
WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER
But if you take the commitment and you are part of a group, with a proper programme to follow you will be guided along the way, accountable and successful!
In my cleanse programme I offer you exactly that: guidance, support, loving accountability. You will get everything you need for a successful cleanse.
The plan is done for you , all you need to do it is to follow it, step by step, meal plans, recipes, shopping lists, cleanse guide, daily protocols, extensive information on what to do during the cleanse , plus you will have my support on live calls and daily support through a private FB group and emails, and the support of a wonderful community of people going through your same journey.
MORE INFORMATION
My next programme will start on the 02nd November for 2 weeks, just 14 days to make you feel and look great this summer.
If you want to come on a cleanse journey with me, click the button below for more information on my programme I would love to support you and make your cleanse successful so you can get great results and feel great!
https://everydaynutrition.co.uk/cleanse-for-energy-and-weightloss/
Wishing you the best health and vitality,
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