Treading Through This Toxic World

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I really think about all the toxicity in the world around us. It is a constant battle to avoid the chemicals and poisons alive in the food and products offered for everyday sale (i.e. plastics, parabens, petroleum products, pesticides…), in the air we breathe, the water we bathe in…

My living situation for the past five years has been in a condo that sits adjacent to a major highway where cars drive by all the time (add another “p” – pollution). I also learned several years after purchasing this place that I live across what used to be a dump – literally. Ugh.

In addition, I work full time in a building that is right off the highway, and sit in front of a computer all day underneath dreadful fluorescent lighting.

I am privy to believe that my living and working situation is not benefiting my natural journey and is deterring me from true healing. I believe that the toxins I am exposed to every day are contributing to the issues I am having with my thyroid.

I also believe that toxicity is relevant in the production and pain of endometriosis, as these toxins tax the liver — the most important organ in our bodies for removing excess estrogens from the body and the removal of toxins from our internal system. 

I realize now, after two years on my natural journey to heal my endometriosis, that I am not able to control all my interactions with toxic chemicals and pollution. (Although, I do have plans to leave behind my current toxic environments within a year’s time)

I do my best with what I consume individually. The products and foods in my home are as chemically absent as possible, but my home is only a small space amidst the toxic landscape.

I am not going to be able to avoid all the toxins around, but I can take steps every day to detoxify my body and build up my immunity as best I can so my body is best able to rid itself of these toxins.

Four Ways to Detox Daily

1. Dry Skin Brushing

The skin is a major way that the body rids itself of toxins. Taking a few minutes each day to dry brush the skin helps to move out these toxins. Dry skin brushing helps renew the lymphatic system and stimulates the nervous system.

I’ve been dry skin brushing now for about six months prior to my shower (the shower helps to further accelerate the detox process). I purchased a brush made out of bamboo (It kind of looks like a toilet bowel brush – lol), but anything made out of a natural material will work.

Brushing should be done on the skin towards the direction of the heart, as this stimulates the lymphatic system. I use long strokes on my skin.

I find dry skin brushing to be beneficial especially since I live in Colorado, which has a very dry climate, and my skin is often dry. In addition to removing toxins, dry skin brushing helps to soften my skin by removing dry, dead cells.

At first the process kind of hurt, but now that I am used to it, I find dry skin brushing to be invigorating, adding a spark of energy to my skin in the morning 🙂

2. Neti Pot

Our nasal cavity and the back of our throat is made up of tiny hair like structures called cilia that move back and forth, pushing mucus to the back of the throat and down into the digestive track, or out the nose.

Cilia can get backed up with environmental and natural irritants over time. When these irritants (bacteria, viruses, allergens) stay in the sinus cavity then the immune system is forced to react and fight against these foreign invaders.

By removing these toxins from the nasal cavity, the immune system is able to rest (and tend to more important matters). 

Use of the Neti Pot is a long standing practice in Ayurveda and yoga practices, as it clears the passage way for better breathing. The breath is the link to our prana – our life force.

Clearer nasal passages allow for deeper, more clear breathing. Deep breathing is another way to remove toxins from the body. 

Just put about eight ounces of room temperature distilled water and a teaspoon of nasal saline solution into the Neti Pot, put it up to one nostril and tip your head to the side over the sink so that the water runs in one nostril, out the other. Open your mouth when you do it and be prepared with tissues when you’re done to softly blow out the remaining water.

There are times when I get what I call the Neti Pot drip hours after doing it, lol. Also, at first I felt like I had water in my ears. To prevent this, be sure to tip your head as far as you can over the sink so the water pours out your nostril, not into your ears 🙂

I’ve been using the Neti Pot every day this past week, incorporating it into my morning routine and I have appreciated my clearer nose and deeper breaths. I find too that blocked sinuses lead to headaches — no headaches this week 🙂

3. Green Juice

By green juice, I mean that everything that goes in the juicer is green — cucumber, romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, green pepper, parsley, cilantro, green apple…etc.

These greens hold chlorophyll, which oxygenates the body and enables the release of stored toxins. Chlorophyll molecules have magnesium as their center, which helps with cramping. It also improves blood circulation and provides a boost of energy.

By drinking green juice, the body assimilates the nutrients faster, as they directly hit the blood stream. Green juice promotes alkalinity in the body, smoother, clearer skin, and efficient elimination.

Green juice cleanses the digestive system, lungs, liver and uterus.

I became inspired to start juicing after watching Kris Carr in Hungry For Change. She is so passionate about the positive effects of it and by the looks of her glowing skin, it obviously has benefits. I received a juicer for Christmas a little over year ago and have been hooked ever since.

I try and juice every day and of late I’ve been making green juice in the evenings for my husband and I. Since doing it consistently every day, I have been feeling much better and so has my hubby 🙂

If you are new to juicing, I’d recommend diluting it down with water. I still do this (about half juice, half water). When I first started I drank it full strength and did get a little nauseous.

4. Fiber

It is important to include fiber in your daily diet everyday – at least 25-35 grams. Fiber helps to cleanse out the colon, where toxic build up is most common. Fiber also helps move out excess estrogen that is prevalent with endometriosis. 

Foods with high amounts of fiber include beans, avocado, lentils, pears, artichokes, gluten free oatmeal, raspberries, peas, broccoli, apples, almonds, quinoa, figs, prunes, dates and sunflower seeds.

When I first increased my fiber intake I did experience quite a bit of flatulence, but as time passed and my body got used to it, this did stop.

As I’ve mentioned before, digestive issues increase the pain I have with endometriosis, when things flow out freely, this helps to prevent my cramping and pain.

On the Positive Side?

These four practices are pretty easy to incorporate into the every day routine and keep toxins from building up in the body. By taking small steps each day we avoid the stronger detox effects felt by doing a heavier duty cleanse done over a shorter period of time.

The removal of toxins from the body should help with the pain related to endometriosis. Taking small steps each day puts the power back in our hands to release that which holds us down, that which destructs our insides.

Do you partake in any of the suggested daily detox practices? Do you have other things that you do each day to help remove toxins from your body? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comment section below.

I hope you are having a peaceful day and finding reasons to smile.
Until next time — Much love to you….