Sometimes we take a holiday for the purpose of having fun. A friends' weekend away or a family reunion can be the perfect time to blow off some steam, live it up, paint the town red and have the time of your life. However, sometimes it's beneficial to go the complete opposite direction: A relaxing detox holiday can be the perfect way to decrease mental and physical stress, leaving you feeling energised and ready to tackle everything life throws at you.
You could book an expensive trip to a yoga retreat or detox resort, but you can also create this kind of itinerary all on your own. If you're looking for a natural remedy to the stress of everyday life, try the following ideas for a relaxing yet energising detox holiday.
While you're away reclaiming your health, you'll need to be eating foods that nourish your body and provide a detoxifying effect. Before you leave for your trip, look into health food stores and clean-food restaurants around your destination. You may want to reserve holiday accommodation that includes a kitchenette so you can do your own cooking while you're on the trip.
Dr. Mark Hyman, creator of the 10-Day Detox Diet, has a few tips for those who wish to cleanse their bodies on holiday. Stock up on foods that come directly from nature. Organic produce and fresh meats and seafoods will be your best bet. Some people decide to skip all animal products while detoxing, but this isn't a requirement - do what works for you, but avoid any artificial flavours, colours or packaged goods.
A few things you definitely won't want to include, however, are grains, breads, dairy, caffeinated beverages and alcohol. These all put a strain on the liver and/or digestive tract, so they aren't good options for your detox holiday.
"A relaxing detox holiday can be the perfect way to decrease mental and physical stress, leaving you feeling energised and ready to tackle everything life throws at you."
Many people also wish to incorporate reflective activities while on a detox holiday. Dr. Hyman recommends a few simple ways to calm your senses and gain some insight. Try journaling for about 15 minutes on each day of your trip. You can prepare ahead of time by finding journal prompts online, or you can simply write about what's on your mind each day.
Many detox-minded holidaymakers also opt to do some yoga on their trip. If you're an avid yogi or yogini, you probably already know whether you want to bring your yoga mat along. If you aren't practised in this form of exercise and meditation, there are easy ways to get into a meditative mindset. Consider doing deep-breathing exercises each day of your trip. Just close your eyes, focus on your breath, and learn to let any thoughts pass into and out of your mind without judgement.
To help cleanse the liver and the gastrointestinal tract, make sure you're consuming a diversity of vitamins and minerals, as well as getting adequate fibre in your diet. Dr. Hyman recommends supplementing with a multivitamin each day.
You might also want to consider taking herbal supplements that support liver health. Milk thistle is a popular option, and has been used for living support for more than 2,000 years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Water is beneficial for good health everyday, but it's particularly important when you're trying to detox. Water helps move waste through the body, which is the main goal of detoxing. Make sure to drink 8-10 glasses of water each day. As mentioned above, avoid diuretic substances such as caffeine or alcohol.