How Are You Detoxing?

One of the fascinating things about the human body is its ability to detox. We come into contact with harsh, toxic substances every day, especially in more recent times. Our bodies are able to break these substances down in our body, through fancy pathways, and help us excrete them in order to minimize harm.

Sometimes, these pathways may need extra support (think vitamins/minerals), and sometimes our bodies become overloaded and can’t keep up. We can’t completely avoid the harsh things we come in contact with, but with intentional changes, we can minimize the work our bodies have to do in order to detox. Some of the changes you can make may include minimizing exposure to plastics (especially when heated, like in microwaves), pesticides (choosing organic foods when able), harsh fragrances, pollution, toxic personal care products, etc. etc. etc.

It also means providing your body with the nutrients it needs by eating enough and including a variety of foods. Sometimes, certain supplements may be needed to provide extra support.

Just as we cannot escape toxins in our environment, we cannot escape constantly hearing messages that we need to change our bodies.  But, we can fight them (as our bodies detox for us), and limit our exposure to them.

It took me a long time, and a lot of God’s grace, to not constantly obsess over changing my body, or obsess over keeping it the way it was. I have to constantly support my mental “detox” pathways by renewing my mind with truth, and minimizing my exposure to harsh, triggering messages as much as I’m able.

Instead of fighting my body all the time, I now choose to fight these harmful messages.  I am still fighting, but this fight does not leave me anxious and focused on the wrong things.  This fighting keeps me free.

Just as I limit my body’s exposure to toxins, as much as I’m able, I’m also selective with what I put in front of my eyes every day.  One way to do this is flooding your social media feeds with positive messages instead of negative, triggering content.

How are your mental “detox” pathways? Are you fighting yourself, or fighting the cultural messages that make you feel you aren’t enough?