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Drink Water
The reason why it is important to get enough water every day is because of your health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, it can also prevent your body to overheat, or lead to constipation and kidney stones. Water has no calories so it can help with managing your body weight. If you struggle to drink water because you find it bland, consider adding fruit like lemon, ginger, a slice of orange or cucumber to give it more flavour. Water helps keep your body temperature normal. Water lubricates and cushions the joints. Water protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues. Water gets rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. Drinking lots of water helps the body to cleanse itself and get rid of any waste or toxins.
Eat Food rich in Fibre
Load up your plate with plenty of fibre. Fibre helps to nourish your digestive system and support healthy cleansing. Fibre binds to toxins in the bile and gut, assisting with elimination of waste from the body. Fibre examples are oats, pears, citrus fruits, peas, beans, pulses, nuts, potato with skin, apple, bananas, strawberries etc. Fibre keeps you fuller for longer.
Ditch gut-compromising foods which are not good for you
You will also benefit from steering clear of fried food, refined sugars, alcohol, and caffeine. Over processed foods often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt ,and sugar. When we eat them, we leave less room in our diet for more nutritious food. It has also been suggested that the additives in these foods could be responsible for oh negative health effects.
Eat Fermented Foods
Add some fermented food items to your diet. Fermentation rises dietary standards of foods and allows us to live healthier lives. ‘Probiotic-rich fermented foods are not only essential for a healthy gut, but they also help to encourage microbial diversity and combat inflammation. Good, fermented food options include plain yoghurt, gari from cassava, ogi and mahewu from maize and kaffir beer from sorghum. Some are served as food condiments and are made from the fermentation of protein rich seeds. These are: iru from the African locust beans, Ugba from African oil beans and ogiri from melon seeds, cheese, yoghurt, kefir, Miso etc. Aim to include at least one to two serves per day in your food.
Use the African Traditional Sponge
Dry body brushing is the ancient practice that sees devotees brush their body in order to stimulate the lymphatic system and rid the body of toxins. A lot of the traditional sponges in Africa do the work. Hard traditional loofah helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and provide thorough clean. Hard traditional loofah helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and provide through clean.
Try Small Exercise
Studies suggest that mindfulness practises may help people manage stress, code better with serious illness, and reduce anxiety and depression. Many people who practise mindfulness report an increased ability to relax, a greater enthusiasm for life and improved self-esteem. Mindful exercise is key to a successful cleanse. It could be Pilates, jogging, walking, or dancing. Mindful exercise boost blood flow, improves indigestion, reduces anxiety, and improves quality of sleep.
Don’t Forget your Fruits & Vegetables
Eating fruit and vegetables are key for any healthy balanced diet, it’s also important to eat a wide variety of different colours. ‘Where possible, opt for dark coloured fruits and veggies. Including carrots, sweet potato, red peppers, beetroot, and berries. They are richer in antioxidants. Antioxidants help defend your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals.
Get a Goodnight Sleep
Focus on sleep. Getting enough high-quality shut-eye does more than leave us feeling rested and recharged. Good sleep actually supports our body’s ability to detox itself, too, helping to remove any toxic substances and wastes that may have accumulated during the day.
My book: How to Live with Sickle Cell is available on: www.amazon.com
