Detox

Your health is composed of the one of your mind and the one of your body. These two dimensions are often perceived as separate topics. The thing is, they are inseparable. You physical body contains your brain. Both are connected. They are just one.

A tour of detox

What do you want to detox from?

Detox might help when there is an accumulation of ‘something’ damaging in the body or in the mind. Or maybe it was beneficial at some point, but it no longer serves you. When this is the case, the first thing to do is to prevent more of the trouble coming in. Breaking up with unhealthy habits and relationships should be the first step on your healing journey. Consider the current state of relationships in your life, some of the examples are below.

1.       ME – FOOD relationship

Does my body need the amount of food I am consuming?

What foods does my body need to be at its best?

What harming or invaluable foods am I consuming?

When going through a challenging situation, am I rewarding myself with eating unhealthy foods?

2.       ME – ME relationship

How do I care for my psychological health and how do I care for my body?

Am I knowingly harming my psychological or physiological health?

What is my relationship with my inner critic?

How much time do I spend online?

Am I being distracted from other activities by social media notifications or absentmindedly browsing through news or online shops?

Am I reaching for the phone habitually?

3.       ME – NATURE relationship

What feelings do I have when the weather is not what I was hoping for?

What feelings do I hold towards wilderness, plants, animals, storms and being outside?

4.       ME – OTHERS relationships

How do I perceive people who do not agree with me or my attitude to life?

Do I take advantage of others or am I being taken advantage of?

How do I usually behave with others?

Suggestions

Give yourself enough time to identify and abandon the old ways because when you eliminate harmful habits, a space for new habits and relationships will be created.

See the examples below

1.       ME – FOOD relationship

Let your food be your medicine. Value quality over quantity. To initiate repair processes in your body, practice intermittent fasting. While in the eating window time, eat foods that are beneficial for your body and mind. Feel the value of what you are doing for yourself, acknowledge your cravings and mindfully choose your way. Become the person that is aware and free.

2.       ME – ME relationship

Practice mindfulness, train your mind to be present – meditation can be helpful. Find a dedicated place for your electronic devices and go around your day without such distractions. Pay attention to your sleeping habits. Not everyone is a morning person but give it a go and wake up before the sun rises. Spend some time in silence but awake. Do gentle yoga, open the window and just be… before starting to think about your upcoming day. Grow creative and positive mindset.

Note on Practicing Self-Care

Every day, do something beneficial and pleasant for yourself – be wary not to fall into the trap of false rewards (I can reward myself now by buying/eating …….). Anything that requires you to do the work but at the same time brings you happiness and development would fall into the category of self-care. Examples: meditation during the day or treating tired legs with a self-massage, gentle exercise, pleasant walk in the nature, art…

3.       ME – NATURE relationship

Go outside every day, walk, run, cycle, or just observe natural world. Practice grounding to rebalance your charge and find connection to the earth. Welcome seasonal changes and meditate about nature everlastingly navigating towards balance in everything it does. Grow a plant – ornamental, medicinal or vegetables or fruit.

4.       ME – OTHERS relationship

Stay strong in your beliefs and respect others. Value your time and think about boundaries.

Herbal allies

Herbal medicines grow all around us, sometimes they literally wait outside your door. Many common ones, like nettles, plantain, cleavers, rosehips, dandelions, or hawthorn and others are very safe and useful. Basically, any of the above would support you on your way to get rid of what no longer serves you and to strengthen your body. To learn more about medicinal plants growing around you, take a photo of your suspected medicinal plant, tag me on Instagram @mistemica.your.herbalist and I will tell you about its medicinal powers.

I am Miska, a Medical Herbalist specializing in using native European herbs for health and wellbeing. Please click on my profile below to access my website, Mistemica.

How do you keep and improve your body and mind health? We would love to know your unique perspective.