Are you regularly promising yourself to be more balanced, make better choices and eat healthier without ever following through? It could be time for a detox.

Your body can do most of the work, but these 11 simple steps can help naturally detox your body more efficiently.

Here are some tell-tale signs when your body is screaming for some help.

10 Signs You Need To Detox

  • Low energy
  • Diarrhea, constipation
  • Migraines
  • Anxiety, depression
  • Moodiness
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Sugar cravings
  • Brain fog
  • Insomnia
  • Soreness, stiffness

The good news is, with the tips below you can naturally detox your body to start feeling better.

How to Naturally Detox Your Body

1. Stay hydrated

Drink lots of water. Your body needs water to move toxins out of your system. Lemon water is especially helpful.

2. Have a detoxifying smoothie

Smoothies made of natural ingredients such as vegetables, fruit and plant-based protein sources will do wonders for your body. They’ll help you feel energized without the heaviness of a carb-based meal. Pumpkin smoothies are yummy.

3. Get a deep massage

Have your masseuse press deep into your muscle tissue. Having a deep massage helps improve our circulatory systems, relieves our sore muscles and relaxes us. Improving our circulation helps boost our immune systems. Relieving sore muscles is important for more than the specific muscles as well. Getting rid of physical tension also reduces our mental stress level. Enjoy a deep massage and drink lots of water afterwards to help flush out the toxins.

4. Substitute coffee with green tea

I love coffee. Despite how much I enjoy it, I restrict myself to a cup a day as coffee has been associated with fluctuating blood sugar levels. It can also irritate the stomach and lead to heartburn and mess with your hormones. I come totally off coffee every 2-3 months so that I don’t become dependent on it. Try substituting green tea for coffee. The antioxidants in green tea boost our immune systems.

5. Have at least one bowel movement a day

Emptying your bowels each day is a sign of a healthy digestive system. Your body needs to get rid of solid waste. If you are constipated (and that means having less than one, easy to pass, bowel movement each day), then you need more magnesium.

6. Get moving

Be active! Any movement during your day helps you become healthier. Do something you enjoy. Play a sport, dance, head to the gym, and sit less. You’ll be impressed at how energetic you feel after a good workout.

7. Eat more fiber

We should all eat more fiber. Eating more fiber reduces our risk of digestion issues, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Have fruit instead of fruit juice. Snack on some celery or tomatoes, and replace some meat with beans instead. Be adventurous! Make some Middle Eastern or Indian dishes like hummus that feature legumes.

8. Sleep more

Never sacrifice your sleep. Sleep is not a luxury but a necessity. Without 7-8 hours each day we gain weight, our immune systems get weaker, and we have a harder time feeling happy. Sleeping also improves our decision-making and increases our motivation. Enjoy your sleep! Adequate sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

9. Meditate

The two sides of health, mental and physical, are closely related. Be more mindful. Having a peaceful mind helps us focus less on the pressures in our lives. We need both mental and physical strength for good health.

10. Consume less alcohol

Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Having a glass of wine after dinner is fine and may even be beneficial for our hearts. However, too much alcohol can lead to stroke and high blood pressure. Savour your alcohol when you treat yourself.

11. Bathe

Have an Epsom salt bath with 2 cups of Epsom salt, ½ cup of baking soda and some essential oil like lavender, lemon grass, cleary sage or eucalyptus

Chew on This

Most importantly, listen to your body. You are your best nutritionist and doctor. Keep these tips in mind, and pay attention to what works best for you. Are you tired? Stressed? Happy? Only you can know yourself intimately. Practice these tips to naturally detox your body and note what works best for you.