If you live in a city, exercising outside can actually increase the negative effects of the toxins on your body due to the toxic ozone emissions that will be lingering. Regular exercise is essential for maintaining fitness levels. Cardiovascular exercise such as running, cycling and swimming is essential to stimulate blood and lymph systems by getting the heart and lungs working to their optimum potential. However, during a detox programme a small amount of gentle exercise is advised, this is to allow the body to rejuvenate. Pilates, gentle forms of yoga, t’ai chi and meditation are all advisable types of exercise to allow the body to rejuvenate during detox. Saunas can be used to cleanse and detoxify the body. The dry heat of a sauna is a powerful method in helping to eliminate chemicals stored in fat cells. Dry skin brushing is recommended as a daily ritual morning and evening to kick-start the circulation. It removes impurities from under the skin and sweeps away dead skin cells, and it need only take you 30-60 seconds. The Elemis skin brush is an example of a body brush and is made of quality cactus bristles – use it to gently brush in upward strokes, always in the direction of the heart, avoiding the face and sensitive areas like the breasts. It is also important to take time out for yourself. There are many salon treatments out there to help with detox programmes. Massage itself stimulates the circulation and breaks down and drains impurities. Another wonderful example of a salon treatment is the Elemis Cellutox Aroma Spa Wrap. This involves a warm seaweed body mask combined with a blend of essential oils being applied to the body, before you are cocooned in a comforting foil wrap, followed by a pressure point massage of the face andscalp. A course of six is recommended for maximum results, although Elemis also have a Cellutox herbal bath synergy to use at home in place of a wrap. The unique spray-dried synergy of seaweeds, rich in iodine help balance the metabolism while the synergy of essential oils in a sea salt base, cleanse and detoxify the body. Sleep is very important during a detox programme, and one should aim for at least seven to eight hoursevery night. Sprinkling a few drops of lavender oil onto your pillow at night will help you relax and induce sleep. Finally, remember allocated just a small amount of time and changes to our habits can help us feel full of vitality and leave us looking great.
