Most of us don’t know that sleep is vital for optimal health. While we sleep our bodies work to detoxify itself, create new cells, and prepare our body to take on a new day. We tend to take sleep for granted by not getting enough, staying out late and eating right before bed.  As a result we feel tired, lazy, and unproductive. Sleep affects our immune system and when you are not properly rested your immune system lowers. That’s when we become more prone to colds and infections. 
 
When we have a goodnights rest we feel more alert, energetic, happier,
and better able to function.The key hormone our body produces while we sleep is melatonin. This fundamental hormone that is stimulated by darkness regulates our sleep cycle . You need to create the proper sleep environment to have adequate amounts of melatonin to feel good and wake up feeling rested. 

The Perfect Sleep 
-   Sleep in complete darkness, use an eye mask if necessary or have dark curtains
 -  Try to Sleep by 10pm and wake by 6am ideal for melatonin secretion
 -  Refrain from eating right before bedtime
 -  Have a bedtime routine, go to bed at the same time every night
 -  Keep all electronics at least 5 feet away from your bed while sleeping

Now that you are drinking eight glasses of water a day you can increase your health benefits by adding some lemon to your water. Lemons are astringent in nature as well as detoxifying to the body that also create a more alkaline environment. Lemons have antiseptic properties that can help kill bacteria inside the body as well useful in killing bacteria in our external environment.

 Ways to use lemon 
Add a slice of lemon to your water. It adds flavour and is a quick fix for those who find water too plain.

It’s refreshing smell can help wake you up in the morning and have a calming effect on you if you are feeling stressed.

Drinking lemon water will aid digestion. It can help relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, bloating, gas and cramping. Drinking 1/2 lemon juice in water regularly will aid in the cleansing of the bowels, which helps eliminate constipation and diarrhea. A teaspoon of lemon juice in half a glass of water helps relieve heartburn

Adding the juice of a whole lemon in water can be used as a mild detox for the liver by assisting the liver in the removal of toxins from the body. 
 
Lemons are rich in vitamin C it can help prevent colds and infection 
 
House hold cleaner- use lemon to replace toxic bleach! Ideal for tea or coffee mug stains. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for each mug fill with water and let it sit overnight.

Great for skincare and hair. Give your facial cleansers a boost by adding lemon oil, useful in treating pimples and some skin disorders because it kills bacteria. Add a few drops of lemon oil to shampoo to make your hair shine.


 

What is detoxification?

Detoxification is the process by which the body eliminates toxins from its cells. Toxins exist everywhere and can lead to many health problems. Toxins drain the body of energy, making the body more prone to disease and infection.

Toxins can be found in food (pesticides/herbicides), and in the environment. When our bodies reach a point where it cannot metabolize and rid the toxins out of the body we get sick and our energy levels start to decline.

What is involved in detoxification?

There are many types of detoxification protocols that you can try. During the detoxification process you stay away from the following: Caffeine, Nicotine, Sugar and Alcohol

Depending on the length of the detox and your current state of health you can experience some detoxification symptoms such as: Increase flatulence, skin eruptions, weakness, fatigue, nausea, nervousness, coated tongue, aches and pain, nightmares, and frequent urination

The good news is that detoxification symptoms are a sign that your body is becoming healthier each day and releasing waste from the body. During the detoxification do not take vitamins or any supplements to ease your symptoms; the symptoms are part of the healing process.


Recommendations

Lifestyle
Breathe deeply
Reduce Stress
Get sufficient sunlight, exercise and sleep
Seek counselling or meditation to relieve stress

Diet
Begin to drink green tea
Eat a well balanced diet
Eat foods that support the liver
Eat more berries

Supplements
TrueDetox

If you have any questions or are thinking about going on a detoxification protocol please contact me at info@nutritionathand.com for coaching or package details and prices.