Even a year into the pandemic, there’s still a lot of reason for entrepreneurs and people in leadership positions to suffer from severe stress. The outbreak has no definite end in sight despite vaccines being distributed globally. Economies are still in the process of recovering, and a lot of businesses continue to struggle with the shifting consumer behavior in various markets. It’s not surprising that you feel stuck, and at the back of your mind, you’re wondering if there are better ways to manage the personal and professional pressure hounding you daily.
Detoxing might not be the first in your list of remedies, but there’s no doubt that it will amplify the effects of whatever stress management regimen you’re on. Unlike other methods you may already be practicing, detox’s focus will be on undoing bad habits that you picked up in 2020. Contrary to popular belief, not all detox plans include complex technology and supplements involving water that changes color and extreme abstinence. The best ones are more practical than you may think.
Cut Back on Alcohol
There’s nothing wrong with consuming alcohol. In fact, responsible consumption has been proven to benefit your heart health. The only time it’s detrimental is when you begin to drink excessively in an attempt to numb the stress or fall asleep after work. Resorting to this habit puts your liver on overdrive and leads to inflammation, fat buildup, and scarring. Eventually, it will no longer be able to metabolize alcohol or any other waste from your body, putting your health in jeopardy.
If you find yourself relying on alcohol during the pandemic, refusing a drink for a week to a month will give your liver a much-needed break. Do this gradually instead of throwing away your supply all at once. This will help you stay faithful to your detox plan. In case you find this endeavor too difficult on your own, it’s worth getting an expert involved. Alcohol detoxification for people with high dependence on it must be done with the guidance of health professionals.
Cut Back on Late Nights
It only takes a handful of late nights for your body to adjust its biological clock. Before you know it, it’s been months since you last slept early or had any quality snooze altogether. While it might be the reason you’re meeting all the deadlines and ticking off tasks at an impressive speed, you have to consider the damage you’re doing to your body. Sleep is integral in maintaining the body’s natural detoxification system. Depriving yourself of it triggers chaos that keeps toxic waste in your body from being flushed out properly. One specific waste that remains in your system because of it is beta-amyloid, a protein that increases your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.
The more immediate consequences include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and poor stress management. Getting rid of alcohol is a great first step to enjoying the sleep you need, as you won’t be waking up in the middle of the night with a bathroom emergency or a severe thirst due to dehydration.
Cut Back on Processed Foods
It only takes a few clicks to confirm online that sugar and other highly processed foods are responsible for many of the health concerns you have today. Chronic headaches, fatigue, and moodiness? Check your sugar consumption. It could be the reason for your highs and lows throughout the day. Just like many of your peers and employees, you’ve likely taken on the habit of ordering a variety of drinks while you work at home to make up for the lack of personal interaction with the outside world. In fact, you can’t imagine your lunch and dinner without a serving of certain frozen and canned goods or desserts. Just as you can be addicted to alcohol, you can easily be addicted to sugar and certain foods in your diet. Cutting back on all the unhealthy stuff might be difficult, but it will stabilize your mood and decrease the unusual pains you feel all over your body.
This equates to more productive time at work and a higher capacity to deal well with your colleagues and team members.
Cut Back on Salt
In a more traditional sense, detoxifying intends to flush out excess water from your body. Your current enthusiasm for salty food makes that impossible because it’s an element that causes you to retain fluid, not get rid of it. Having too much excess water makes you feel bloated and uncomfortable in your clothing and performing menial tasks, which only amplifies your stress. Apart from limiting the salt in your meals and doing away with salty snacks, you can increase your fluid intake to remedy this. The more water you drink, the more likely you’ll urinate and get rid of excess water.
Stick to the Basics
Detoxing isn’t meant to be complicated or expensive. The point is to get rid of toxins and waste by attending to your basic needs first, including eating the right kind of food, getting quality sleep, and eliminating harmful consumption. This fortifies your health and makes it easier to commit to other stress management tools like meditation, exercise, and creative activities so that you can lead at your best every day.
