Do You Need A “Life Detox”?
It’s been 2 years since being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. It’s been quite an interesting journey. I was reviewing with my doctor all the changes I’ve made these past two years:
Diet: I went from eating just about anything I wanted to become gluten-free, dairy-free-soy-free, nightshade-free, and liquor-free. I haven’t had fast food in 2+ years. When we do go out to eat, we only eat in restaurants with chefs who can honor my dietary restrictions.
Sleep: I went from sleeping 4-5 hours a night to 5-6 hours a night (and still need to up this to 7 hours a night).
De-Stress: I retired from stand-up comedy, as running two businesses AND traveling for stand-up comedy was too much. I take baths twice a week, do hypnosis regularly on, and also see an acupuncturist once a month. I take time to do something for myself each day. Right now, I spend at least 30 minutes doing something crafty.
Travel: When we fly, I bring snacks with me. We stay at Airbnbs so we have access to a full kitchen and a bathtub. When we cruise, we contact the cruise ship ahead of time to let them know my food allergies and get the upgraded dining package. I have a waiter assigned to me at each restaurant who is familiar with my allergies to ensure I don’t get anything cross-contaminated.
As I was telling my doctor many of the things I’ve done to feel better, she dropped the term “Life Detox.”
Yes, “Life Detox.” My body has been telling me to slow down for years, and I missed all the signs and clues my body was leaving for me. My Type A personality perfectly taught to me by my “Type A” parents was taking a toll. If I was a car, my brakes were shot so I had no choice but to crash and burn. And evidently, my body is still in the shop for repairs because some of the parts have been back-ordered!
I began thinking about a Life Detox, and I think this is what it would look like:
Unplug from Technology: Spend less time on your phone, computer, or TV. Try to set specific times when you won't use any gadgets. Try putting your phone away for 12 hours a day (9 pm - 9 am). Set a time schedule for yourself to return texts and emails. Quit being “on call” 24/7.
Clean Up Your Diet: Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Cut back on processed foods, sugar, and caffeine. I ate “on the go” for years. When my allergies began eliminating foods for me, I’ve been learning to cook and enjoy foods that I normally pass over.
Get Moving: Exercise can help clear your mind. Go for walks, bike rides, or join a sports team. With my auto-immune, if I exert myself too much then I have to scale back the next day in order to properly recuperate. Pay attention to how your body feels, and allow yourself some grace. Be sure to prioritize your needs. If you’re not feeling it, don’t mentally scold yourself for not being able to do what you used to do. Congratulate yourself for taking care of yourself.
Declutter Your Space: A clean space can lead to a clearer mind. Organize your room and get rid of things you don't need. Clutter is an outward expression of what’s going on inside your mind. Let that stuff go! It’s okay! Someone else may actually enjoy it. Take a tip from Marie Kondo, thank your stuff for the role it played in your life and then let it go.
Spend Time in Nature: Being outdoors can help you relax and feel refreshed. Visit a park or go for a hike. This one is hard for me because I’m super-allergic to bug bites and most things outdoors. Try increasing your time outdoors gradually. Start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 20.
Practice Mindfulness: Try meditation or deep breathing exercises to calm your thoughts and be in the moment. There are several meditation and hypnosis apps to help you calm your mind. Use them, DAILY. This is not a one-stop shop, it’s a journey. Think of it as decluttering your mind.
Prioritize Sleep: Get enough rest each night to recharge your body and mind. Set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it. If you need to sleep longer, going from five to seven hours is going to be a challenge. Add 5 minutes of sleep at a time over the period of a few months, and keep a sleep journal to track the quality of your sleep and how you feel when you get more sleep. There’s probably an app for that too!
Say No: Don't be afraid to turn down activities or obligations that stress you out or take up too much time. I’m getting much better at this! Prioritizing your most important tasks and scheduling the less important tasks is another step to help you take the best care of you.
Connect with Loved Ones: Spend quality time with family and friends who make you feel good about yourself. Do not spend time with people who make you feel like shit. If your family makes you feel like shit, then do not reward them with your presence. Just because you share blood and DNA with your family, does not mean you’re obligated to spend time with them. Spend your precious time focused on the people who elevate and inspire you, not drag you down.
Reflect and Set Goals: Consider what you want to achieve and set realistic goals to help guide your detox journey. Have more than one way to measure the success of your goal as well. For instance, people who want to lose 20 pounds tend to beat themselves up when they only lost 18 lbs, because they focus on the 2 pounds they fell short. Instead, the better conversation to have with yourself goes like this, “So I lost 18 pounds. My clothes fit better, I have more energy, and I’m much healthier than I was.”
To summarize, be good to yourself. Try one of these suggestions each week for the next few weeks to detox yourself and your life slowly. Congratulate and reward yourself for each win along the way. If you keep a happy journal or a Cloud 9 collection - track your progress. In 30 days, check in with yourself and see how much better you feel!
