Detoxification is a systematic method based on scientific and biological principles to help the body cleanse itself. The system can be overwhelmed by excessive use of processed food (dead), refined food, poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, use of alcohol and tobacco and mental stress. Detoxification goes a long way to revive, restore, maintain and improve our overall wellbeing. Detoxing brings numerous health benefits like more energy, better sleep, fewer mood swings, clearer thinking, fewer and shorter infections, regular bowel movement, healthier skin, stronger immune system, positive mind set and improved overall health. Here are some general guidelines to detoxify and free up more energy. General guidelines

• Prepare mentally to be responsible for your overall health and wellbeing and know that proper information needs to be backed by immediate action to achieve results.
• Eat whole grains. It provides fibre, vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates which provides sustained energy.
• Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Make sure it is seasonal and add variety. Try and eat most of your fruits and vegetables raw (or mildly cooked). Raw food is full of fibre, vital nutrients, phytochemicals and enzymes. Fresh fruit juice is best taken in the morning for better results. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage help to cleanse the liver.
• Try to have your pulses whole, mung beans is an excellent choice. The quality of the beans heightens when you sprout them.
• Drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day, more during summer or if you exercise or sweat. It will help to flush out your system, improve digestion, relieve constipation and improve your immune system. Include at least three glasses of hot water.
• Try to minimise and eventually give up on caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. The harmful effects of these chemicals are many and put simply, bad for your system. Replace your coffee or tea with herbal tea or hot lemon. It contains antioxidants which is beneficial for your system. Abrupt withdrawal can cause some discomfort and can work as an excuse to revert back, so reduce your intake gradually.
• Try to minimise on processed, packaged and tinned foods. These foods contain additives, artificial sweeteners, colours, preservatives which accumulates unfriendly chemicals in the body.
• Adopting a temporary vegetarian diet is the best way to go. But if you cannot do that, eat only fish. The reason is that the body needs to work extra hard to digest meat products and is difficult to eliminate.
• Avoid hydrogenated, animal fat and excess oil.
• Cut down on your intake of refined sugar and salt.
• It is best to take a break from dairy products, especially cheese, cream and butter. If you must, you can have low-fat milk or yogurt.
• Eat only to mild fullness. Chew your food thoroughly to aid the rest of the digestive system. The break between two meals should be at least four to five hours.
• Exercise. It boosts your detox system by improving the way the tissues use oxygen and dispose of waste products through sweat. Include some stretching exercises (yoga) which will help with better circulation resulting in discharge of waste.
• Practicing of relaxation exercises such as breathing exercise, meditation is beneficial for both mind and body. Overall it provides better control over the body. Please remember that small changes in your lifestyle that may seem difficult at first will not cut down your happiness and pleasures of life, but actually enhance them by making you more healthy, fit and vigorous.