In our minds, the start of November signifies that it’s more or less appropriate to commence the Christmas chatter, so we’re going to start things off by shouting out from the roof tops that it’s just over eight weeks till Christmas day! It does feel a bit strange to be able to say that considering we’ve had a mini autumnal heat wave here in London over the past few days!

Nevertheless, we’re on the count down to a very special day where (in our books) it’s ok to consume way too many mince pies and roast potatoes! It’s a time of indulgence and happiness that only comes around once a year and we strongly believe you shouldn’t feel guilty about allowing yourself to enjoy it. We like to call it “Re-toxing”!

With that in mind, this week (and for the duration of our countdown) we’re focusing on simple yet effective ways we can detoxify our bodies before the re-tox comes around. It’s all about optimizing our health so that when the big day does arrive, we’re not already feeling so sluggish and lethargic that we don’t want to even think about another mince pie. We think a green juice a day is a great place to start but below are a few other easy-to-implement tips which will help detoxify your body before the festive season.

Dry Body Brushing
For soft, smooth, cellulite free skin, you need to become a body brushing guru! You see, skin is commonly known as the third kidney because one of its primary functions is eliminating toxins from the body. Believe it or not the skin is actually the largest organ in the body and is responsible for a quarter of the body’s detoxification processes on a daily basis! A quick and easy way to remove toxins through your skin is dry body brushing. This process helps remove dead skin cells allowing room for new cells to grow. It’s also amazing for boosting blood circulation and has been proven to help reduce cellulite! Five to ten minutes of body brushing, four to five times a week will help give the appearance of firmer skin and a reduction in fluid retention!

H&H loves – The Body Shop Cactus Bath Brush

Go Sugar Free
For a stomach that Miranda Kerr would be impressed with, end your relationship with refined sugar. This evil, white substance is incredibly toxic, can cause inflammation to our bodies and can even affect our immune system. The winter period is already a hot period for colds and viruses, so it’s super important to keep your immunity strong this time of year. Instead, get your sweet fix naturally by eating plenty of dark skinned fruit like blueberries and blackberries. Apart from making delicious breakfast toppings, they’re also full of antioxidants that will help nourish and protect your body. Who wants to be unwell on Christmas day anyway?

Detox Bath
As I explained above, the skin plays a huge role in detoxifying our bodies, most commonly through sweating, but another way to aid the process is immersing yourself in a detox bath. Not only is this a great excuse to indulge in some “you” time, but it’s also a brilliant way to rid the body of toxins with the use of bath salts. Epsom salts are most well known for their detoxing properties as the sulfates in the salts help draw out toxins and heavy metals from our cells.

H&H loves – Senspa’s Detox Bath Salts 

Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is, you guessed it, hot! This type of yoga is performed in a room heated to 37 ˚C where you’ll be dripping with sweat in the first few minutes… picture a hot day in the Sahara Desert with no breeze whatsoever! Many people believe that hot yoga is great for cleansing the body as we release toxins through the skin’s pores when we sweat. Why not give this invigorating way of detoxing a go in the run up to Christmas?

H&H loves – Hotpod Yoga 

Get Spicy
It’s time to spice up your kitchen to help kick start your pre-Christmas detox. Turmeric is a superb one to get your hands on, it boosts the immune system and because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps relieve inflammatory conditions such as asthma and arthritis. Cumin is another great spice – as well as being especially high in antioxidants, it’s particularly good in aiding the digestive system. Let’s face it, good digestive function around the festive period is always a bonus! And of course we can’t forget cinnamon! This cosy-smelling spice is used to help stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing those drastic sugar highs and lows.

H&H recommends – Our delicious Moroccan Tagine

Water
We always advocate keeping on top of your water intake and today is no exception. Water acts as a natural lubricant that helps soften the stool and encourages (there’s no great way of putting this), the emptying of the bowels. The kidneys are responsible for removing waste from our bodies and are totally dependent on water in order to do so. This goes to show just how significant water is for our bodies. Other perks you’ll find with drinking lots of water is clearer, glowing skin, better moods and increased energy levels. Cheers to that!

words by Molly Jennings