How to Survive a Detox Cleanse

People have been doing fasts and cleanses for hundreds of years. While many fast for religious reasons, in the last 20 years it has become fashionable to fast in order to detoxify the body. Too much caffeine, alcohol, cigarette smoke and bad food are some of the common reasons people undergo these three- to five-day cleanses. Whatever the reason, making it through this short period can be very difficult due to hunger and addiction cravings. Follow the steps below to increase your chances of successfully detoxing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Check with your physician before doing any cleanse to make sure that it is safe for you. Explain what you are doing and for how long so they can advise you properly.

2. Assemble what you need. If you are doing a vegetable and fruit juice detox, get everything you need at once. Running to the store to pick up a forgotten item can spell disaster.

3. Remove anything from your house that is a temptation. If you are cleansing from alcohol, remove all traces of it including empty bottles. If cleansing from cigarettes, remove empty (or full) boxes, cartons, ashtrays and anything else that may remind you of smoking.

4. Empty the fridge and cupboards of anything that you are not allowed to eat during your fast.

5. Make a list of all the reasons you are cleansing. Read this list first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Read it, also, any time you have a craving or feel you may quit.

6. Keep yourself busy. If your mind is occupied you wont be tempted to break the cleanse. Read a book you’ve been meaning to read, build a model or draw a picture. Do anything that keeps your mind occupied.

7. Do things that make you feel good. Take hot baths or long walks. Do anything that you enjoy but does not involve food, alcohol, caffeine or smoking.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink lots of water and keep sugar-free chewing gum on hand. Keeping your stomach feeling full and your mouth occupied will ease any frustration from not eating.
• Remind yourself that your body is breaking a pattern. Breaking any habits or patterns are difficult for the first few days, but if you push through you’ll reap wonderful rewards.
• Always make sure that you have spoken with your doctor about your cleanse before-hand. Not all detox approaches are right for everyone. If you have health problems such as diabetes or heart disease, a cleanse could put your body under stress and lead to further complications.