Your body is subjected to numerous not-so-healthy, or perhaps harmful substances through food, water, or air on daily basis. Stress, anxiety, and substance abuse also impact your body negatively. All these lead to a build-up of toxins within, necessitating a detox. A whole body detox not only rejuvenates your body but also has long-term health benefits.
Reading the signs when your body screams for a detox saves you from further turmoil. Mentioned below are the same.
Signs Your Body Needs A Detox
1. Unexplained Lethargy
Have you ever felt like no amount of sleep can suffice your need to stay cozily in the bed? Well, it might just be an indication that the toxin levels in your body are high up and you need to bog them down immediately.
The main reason behind extreme fatigue is being either underweight or overweight. As, in both cases, your body has to work extra hard to do any routine activity. Stress is another reason which cannot be ignored. When stressed, your body develops cortisol which keeps your brain alert for longer than normal time, disturbing the sleep-wake cycle. Not giving enough rest to the brain makes both your mind and body fatigued.
Using stimulants like coffee or nicotine though seems like a go-to option, will only leave you more lethargic at the end of the day. Opt for antioxidant foods like berries instead, which detox your body and make you feel light and active.
2. Brain Fog
If you constantly feel that in your normal state, you are not being able to concentrate and focus on a task and drift away into your own thoughts, brain fog has taken over you. Toxins clutter not just your body’s metabolism but also your brain’s health. This interferes with your day to day tasks, indicating your body needs a detox right now.
Eating foods that are good for the brain like omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, folate, and vitamin B-12 help. Including avocados, nuts, lean protein, raw vegetables, and fruits in your daily diet is the best bet.
3. Bloating, Constipation, And Indigestion
The reason why you constantly feel bloated could either be constipation or indigestion. This is due to the toxin accumulation resulting out of three situations – 1. Dehydration 2. No fiber content in the diet 3. Increase in bad bacteria in the colon.
Consuming 6–8 glasses of water every day and including a diet containing whole grains, fruits, and raw vegetables help. Probiotics play a vital role in replenishing the levels of good bacteria, eliminating the bad bacteria. Make sure you have a small bowl of yogurt every day. Adding a berry of your choice to it further enhances its health quotient.
4. Prolonged Insomnia
Unable to fall asleep as soon as one hits the bed might be a common problem many people face. But, if you stay wide awake even after making prolonged efforts to fall asleep, every day, your body needs a detox right away.
Amino acids are the building blocks of the cells and tissues in our body. One of the important functions they perform is melatonin production, which is the hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain. This hormone is responsible for maintaining your sleep-wake cycle. Insufficient supply of amino acids leads to decreased melatonin production, which in turn causes insomnia.
Avoiding processed and junk foods is the key, as they do no good to your body by increasing your carb intake. Opting for herbal teas like chamomile and peppermint teas before going to bed provide a good detox. Similarly, having a glass of milk supplies the necessary amino acids for melatonin production.
5. Sexual Dysfunction
Smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive intake of processed sugars and caffeine not only up the toxin levels in your body, but also affect your sexual life. Being not able to perform well in bed or being totally uninterested in the act are the strong signals which show your body is laden with toxins. Having a mineral-rich food and engaging yourself in a physical activity eliminate the toxins, helping you regain the lost interest and strength.
6. Mood Swings And Depression
What you eat directly impacts your feelings and moods. Eating junk and processed foods for a prolonged duration leads to toxin build-up in the body, resulting in depression and mood swings. This is because the toxins block the nutrients from being absorbed in the body and make you crave more for food which again are unhealthy.
If food is something that comforts you and sets you on the right track, grab some berries, nuts, and healthy fat like avocados.
There is, however, a difference between clinical depression and generally feeling low. If you feel instantly happy after eating a certain food, fixing it through detox works. Clinical depression isn’t cured through a detox and needs medical attention.
7. Frequent Headaches
While frequent headaches indicate a lot of underlying health conditions, they could, in some cases also be your body’s way of signaling it needs a detox. Depriving yourself of essential nutrients and lack of physical activity are the major reasons. Not consuming enough water every day is also a cause.
8. Whitening Of The Tongue
Ideally, your tongue should be pink in color with no white or yellowish film of it. The appearance of the extra layer indicates your body needs a quick cleanse. This could be the side effect of drinking alcohol, smoking, or having a poor oral hygiene.
Having a cup of green tea before going to bed reduces oral bacteria, and helps detoxify your body.
9. Body Odor
It is not summer, you aren’t sweating, yet your body behaves like you ran a marathon, emanating odor. There could be two reasons behind this – 1. The toxins blocking your sweat glands obstructing the excretion of wastes through skin 2. Your intestine having residues of amino acids after red meat digestion, which later mix with your sweat, producing a foul smell.
Any of the above symptoms or a combination of these indicate that it’s high time your body needs to eliminate the junk. Eating healthy, hydrating yourself well, and being physically active are some of the changes to start with.
