We all know that detoxifying the body from contaminants is important, but there is a lot of misinformation out there, which can make this subject really confusing.

Just how critical is it to get rid of toxins in your body? According to J.H. Tilden, M.D., author of Toxemia Explained, “All sickness, all disease, and all death is caused by the progressive accumulation of toxemia (poison) in the body and the blood.”

That’s a pretty profound statement, yet when you think about it, it’s pretty obvious.

For some of us–those who have many years of toxic build-up from a processed food diet, environmental toxins, chemical products, prolonged radiation exposure, and chronic stress–a heavy-duty detox program might be in your best interest. But also keep in mind that your body is built to constantly detoxify itself from all sorts of toxins like radiation, pollution, chemicals in food and environment, and more. But modern living can hamper the body’s ability to effectively detox itself.

First off, we’re exposed to more toxins than our ancestors were, in ways we can control (eating processed food, using chemical products such as perfumes, unnatural beauty products, harsh cleaning products, etc.) and in ways we can’t directly control (air pollution, radiation exposure, modern-day stresses, etc.)

Second, we are doing less of the actions, and eating less of the foods that support our body’s detoxification functions.

Here are a few simple things you can do every day to avoid excessive exposure to toxins while re-activating your body’s powerful ability to detox from the “junk” of everyday living.

1. Avoid these things

It’s important not to stress about things that are completely beyond your control. Remember that stress itself causes toxic build-up in the body. But there are a lot of things within your control. If you take the steps to avoid what you can control, you can rest more easily about the things beyond your control.

• Try to avoid processed foods (fast food and most items in boxes, wrappers, bags, and packages).
• When you can, avoid drinking unfiltered water.
• Avoid putting chemicals on your skin, such as unnatural perfumes and deodorants, unnatural beauty products, and other grooming products such as anti-bacterial soaps and harsh toothpastes.

2. Breathe

Your lungs play a big role in detoxifying the body. Every breath you take sends cleansing oxygen to every cell in your body, and every exhale brings with it toxins picked up in your body along the way. Taking a few minutes each day to really concentrate on deep, cleansing breaths will help activate your body’s natural detoxifying processes. You can intensify your breath’s cleansing abilities by slowing your breath down to a deeeeeep belly-breath. As you breathe, imagine the air going to different parts of your body. Close your eyes and breathe not just to fill your lungs, but breathe to your organs, muscles, and to any areas of the body experiencing aches and pain. Breathe clean air as often as possible, too. Taking a nature walk outside the city every once in a while can be very cleansing to the body.

3. Sweat

Your skin is the largest detoxifying organ in your body. It is constantly releasing toxins through its pores. Exercise at a moderate to intense level several times per week. Make sure to really work up a sweat, as this pulls out all sorts of toxins, including heavy metals. If you have access to a sauna, this can also help detoxify through the skin. Infrared saunas are especially helpful for detoxification.

4. Keep Your Colon and Liver Happy

Most people don’t know that they should be having at least two bowel movements a day. Many of your organs work together to detox the body, and one of the main ways your body gets rid of those toxins is through your colon. Your detox organs pull toxins out of your cells, but if they don’t have a way to leave the body (the colon), they end up getting re-absorbed into your cells. So, if you aren’t having a bowel movement at least twice a day, then your body is probably storing excess toxic build-up.

The best way to keep your colon happy is to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, with a focus on dark leafy greens, including seaweeds. These foods not only provide necessary fiber to keep everything “moving” properly, they also provide the nutrients your body needs to eliminate toxins.

5. Relax in a Detox Bath

You can stimulate and detox your liver and other organs of the body by having a detox bath once every month or two. Simply fill a tub with warm water, add 2 handfuls of Epsom salt, and soak in the tub for 15-30 minutes. The salt helps draw out toxins and stimulate your elimination organs. An added bonus is the stress relief you will experience from the bath. Reducing stress is a great way to relieve the toxic load in your body. It wont’ hurt to add a couple of drops of a really relaxing essential oil like Lavender.

6. Hydrate

Drink at least 2-3 quarts of clean water per day. You’ll get the most benefit out of this by drinking a good portion of your water first thing in the morning, when your body is dehydrated and needs it the most. Starting the day with one quart of water wakes up your digestive organs and re-hydrates the cells throughout your body. Keep up the water intake throughout the day to improve digestion, skin condition, and to keep your cells pliable. When your cells are plump and moist, they become softened, allowing good nutrients to more easily penetrate the cell walls, and also allowing toxins to more easily exit your cells.