If like most of us, you’re feeling sluggish and under the weather after a season of parties, late nights, rich food, alcohol and lack of exercise, then you may feel inclined to throw yourself head first into a full on detox to revive body and mind as fast as possible.
However, there is an easier way to ease yourself gently into the New Year and we promise that it’s much more enjoyable and sustainable than many of the ‘quick fix’ detox plans that are promoted to us each and every January.
Start as you mean to go in in the New Year and ease yourself into a detox gently and in a positive way that will boost your overall health and wellbeing for the long-term, not just for the seven days that you’re following the latest celebrity-endorsed plan!
Making lots of changes all in one go is often difficult to achieve so make it easier on yourself and aim to make just a couple of changes each week. You’re more likely to keep up those changes all year as they quickly become habits – and good ones at that.
Read on for our week-by-week guide to detoxing the super slow and easy way…
Week 1
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, drinking lots of water to flush out all the nasty toxins in your liver is the best way to get yourself on the road to feeling energised and ensuring your skin glows again.
This week, aim to drink a glass as soon as you wake up each morning to kick start your internal organs and then a further 6-8 glasses throughout the day to fire up your metabolism, hydrate the skin, flush out toxins, fuel the brain and stabilise your appetite. Research has shown that drinking lots of water triggers your brain to believe that you’re full, therefore curbing cravings and overeating – so get glugging!
Aim to take a few early nights this week and a restorative afternoon nap now and again if you can fit it in, and you’re already on the way to making some positive changes that your health will thank you for.
Make time to exercise and move your body as much as possible each day. Even a ten minute power walk, jog or gentle swim can be beneficial and will help to clear your mind and get those feel-good endorphins and digestion flowing.
Week 2
With all the indulgent party food and entertaining out of the way, now is a great time to start eating well and give your body a break from processing rich foods. If you still have boxes of chocolates and treats hanging around, why not give them to a local fundraiser instead? That way you won’t be tempted to polish them off!
Stock up on lots of fresh produce so you can whip up a tasty and healthy meal even when you’re tired and in a rush. Ideal dishes include smoothies, fresh vegetable and fruit juices, homemade soup, omelettes, fish, steamed vegetables, fruit salad, hummous and crudités, homemade casseroles and brown rice salad.
Try and avoid anything processed if you can but don’t let yourself get hungry. Snack on nuts and seeds, fruit and Greek yoghurt to prevent hunger pangs.
This week, try and make time for a visit to a sauna or steam room to speed up the elimination of toxins. Devonshire Spa’s steam and sauna rooms are wonderfully relaxing – why not take a reviving dip in the hydrotherapy pool, monsoon showers and use the reflexology foot baths to de-stress at the same time? Afterwards, chill out on our luxurious loungers and enjoy some time just for you.
Week 3
Reward yourself for doing so well in your detox and boost the effects of the positive changes you’ve made so far, by booking a Spa treatment or two. At the Devonshire Spa, we offer some fantastic new treatments designed specifically to assist with the detoxing process.
The ishga Marine Detox is a must for those feeling sluggish and in need of a reviving treatment. Using organic products packed with seaweed extracts, this highly effective therapy works to remove impurities from the body and boost your overall wellbeing.
You’ll enjoy a full body scrub on our warm Hammam bed using stimulating salt and lemongrass extracts whilst a purifying and rejuvenating Marine Back Therapy treatment acts like a facial for your back, aiding detoxification and drawing toxins away from the body to leave the area cleansed and silky smooth and relieving tension with a relaxing massage. This wonderful ritual ends with a facial to nourish the skin – just heavenly!
Week 4
By now, you should be seeing a difference in your energy levels and overall sense of wellbeing. Boost the effects of your efforts with the ishga Detoxifying Seaweed Wrap, a powerful Hebridean sea salt and oil scrub combined with a full body wrap. Combining the detoxifying and nourishing effect of the purest seaweed gel with a stimulating and hydrating scrub, this exquisite therapy is highly effective at eliminating toxins, reducing cellulite, boosting energy and improving overall skin tone.