What is a Detoxified Life?
We may wonder how and why someone utilizes the detox process to live a more connected and flourishing life. After all, “Detox” is generally used in conjunction with drugs, substances, or habits that have become harmful. Hence, the body becomes dependent on a substance that is toxic. Toxic is defined as poisonous or destructive. However, recently “Toxic and Detox” has become a “buzz” word for relationships and other substances. When the word is used to describe anything other than dependence on a substance it almost always needs clarification of some sort. In relationships or lifestyles, it could be any number of things that would categorize it as toxic. However, they all create an outcome of destroying peace, joy, security, trust, value, and growth.
When a lifestyle becomes toxic it can sweep through the whole family like a tornado. It then creates bitterness, resentment, and disagreements over fundamental life issues.
James 3:16
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
People can become self-centered because they grow accustomed to the toxicity. It takes over and then becomes a new “normal”. This is how it can go unrecognized, and we think everything is under control until something drastic happens to get our attention.
When It May Be Time for a Life Detox?
Studies show it may be time for a “Life Detox” if you experience any of the following:
· you spend unproductive hours on social media
· you overuse food, certain drugs, or any other substance
· all your time is spent attempting to solve the problems of others
· you feel drained and lack energy for consecutive weeks, months, or years
· you forget ideas, thoughts, and events that are important to you
· nervousness
· you worry a lot
· you are often fearful
· you feel a sense of entitlement
· you have more complaints than gratitude
How to Overcome a Toxic Reality?
Ask and answer these questions for Yourself:
· What is going into my mind and affecting the quality of life I want?
· What am I listening to and what am I viewing?
· What is the quality of my relationships/friendships?
· What are the characteristics of people I’d like to be around?
The Body Vs. Lifestyle
Effective detoxing of the body takes place in the Liver. When the body is detoxed, it converts toxins to waste. It keeps the blood clean for oxygen. It also metabolizes nutrients and medications.
When your life requires detoxifying it requires us to know when to discard possibly people, information, thoughts, words, and habits as waste or non-useful. Just as physical detox keeps the blood clean, when our life is detoxed, we have a more positive and productive environment. As oxygen fuels and removes harmful parasites. We often need to identify and quickly remove ourselves from toxic situations which will increase our clarity and future decisions. This will leave us in a healthier emotional and psychological state to experience growth, joy, and confidence.
Ways to Begin Detoxing Your Life
· Listen to, view, read, and/or write motivational content such as;
· Audio Books
· Positive Messages and Music
· Watch Quality TV (avoid violence and most reality television)
· Relaxation and Deep Breathing
· Massages
Steps of Life Detoxification
1. Acceptance (accept you are experiencing an overabundance of toxic people, thoughts, and possible behaviors. We may be contributing to their existence in our life.
2. Cultivate a set of values and interests (What values are important to us that we’ve ignored or refused to set boundaries).
3. Personal Goals (Identify clear, specific, and realistic goals for our present circumstances). Don’t try to think too far ahead. Once we work on removing anything poisonous to us, then we can start to build on future goals. To avoid overwhelm, guilt, shame, and inaction focus on accomplishing current attainable goals.
4. Self-Awareness (Explore who you really are, what you want, what you will accept, and possible hindrances.
5. Compassion (Be patient with yourself, give yourself grace, and celebrate yourself every day). Without identifying toxicities and accepting them, most people are doing the best they think they can. Therefore, it’s important to identify toxicity and begin removing and replacing environments and habits contributing to the toxicity.
Embrace Positive Changes
The greatest way to embrace the positive changes is through evaluating initial feelings. If something makes us feel hopeful, joyous, or grateful, we want to keep this in our lives. If something makes us feel unworthy, anxious, scared, or angry we want to think about why, but also begin the detox process above.
We know the detoxing process is working when we are grateful and more open to possibilities. When there is a lot of toxicity in our lives it can seem like things won’t ever get better. We may feel like life is happening without the ability to maneuver in the direction we desire. This will eventually make room for greater people and opportunities to come into our lives because of the “Life Detox”.
There will be attempts in the future for toxicity to re-enter our lives through old or familiar thoughts, people, and environments. However, once we work through these steps it is more likely that in the future we will know exactly when to revisit some part of the detox process.
A detoxified life is fruitful and continuously feels successful based on personal parameters. The best way to appreciate our success is to focus on individual growth and appreciation, that is not based on the expectation of others.
Charlotte Manuel
Wellness Coach
