The New Year invites you to make a fresh start. A great way to recommit yourself to optimal health and wellness is to cleanse your system in the month of January.

We live in a toxic world. The food we eat, the water we drink and bathe with, the air we breathe and the substances we apply to our skin and hair each day are all potential sources of harmful chemicals generally referred to as toxins. In addition, as a natural by-product of our body's metabolism, we internally produce wastes that also act as toxins if not removed.

These toxic chemicals can build up in the body, recirculate in the bloodstream or are stored in the liver, body fat or in other parts it. The body has its own built-in cleansing systems but these may become overwhelmed by our increased exposure to chemical toxins. Cleansing programmes are geared towards assisting the body to remove these toxic chemicals.

There are many areas of the body that one can focus on to detoxify. Some of the more common areas are: gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), skin, liver, gall bladder, lymphatic system, lungs and kidneys.

Today, I will suggest some simple cleansing techniques for the skin and lymphatic system that you can do for yourself.

SKIN CLEANSE

Toxic substances are often deposited in the fatty tissues below the surface of the skin. This is especially true if the other organs of elimination (e.g., colon, kidneys) are not eliminating these substances.

If the skin is not efficiently eliminating, a backlog of toxic substances will accumulate in the body. A skin cleanse helps to improve its removal of these wastes.

Skin-cleansing techniques

A full-body massage is another great way to revive a stagnant lymphatic system. - File

Air and Sunbaths

Bathing the skin in fresh air and sunshine can be very helpful to promote its ability to eliminate toxins.

An air/sunbath can be done in a bathing suit. Avoid extreme heat to prevent overheating. Twenty to 30 minutes in the morning or afternoon sun each day is great for an air/sunbath.

Skin Brushing

Skin brushing with a natural bristle brush or loofa is a very good way to promote elimination of wastes from the skin and to improve the overall health of the skin.

Brush in small circles in allparts of your body except the sensitive areas (e.g. genitals). This can be done every other day before showering.

Cleansing Bath

A very simple cleansing bath can be performed as follows:

Fill the bathtub with hot, unchlorinated water. If no unchlorinated water is available, add two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide (three per cent) to the bath water.

Add two cups of baking soda to neutralise the acids of the toxins and two cups of Epsom salt to help draw toxins out of the body. Soak in the tub for half-hour and drink a lot of hot green tea while in the bath.

Sauna cleansing

The use of a sauna can be a powerful tool for a skin cleanse. I particularly recommend an infrared sauna, which is easier to tolerate while providing a more effective cleanse than ordinary saunas.

The temperature should be high enough to work up a good sweat after 10-15 minutes, but low enough that you can stay in there for 30 to 40 minutes. You may need to experiment with the temperature adjustments. Take a shower using a natural soap after the sauna.

Ocean or Mineral Bath Cleanse

This skin cleanse can be done if you have access to a sauna near the ocean or mineral bath.

Bathe in ocean or mineral bath for five-10 minutes. Then sit in the sauna until you have worked up a good sweat (for 10-15 minutes).

Repeat the process twoor three times and shower with fresh water. If a sauna is not available, you may sit in the sunshine instead.

Lymphatic system cleanse

The lymphatic system is an important part of the body's circulation that transports nourishment to the cells and removes waste. The lymph nodes (glands) process the lymphatic fluid in the lymph vessels and break down toxins. This breakdown of toxins is especially important during infections and other acute illnesses.

Deep breathing and movement help keep the lymph moving through the lymph vessels.

Lymph cleanses are particularly recommended during or after acute illnesses or after an extended period of inactivity.

Regular exercise is an excellent way to keep the lymphatic system from stagnating. Exercising on a trampoline, called rebounding, is a particularly effective way to stimulate the lymphatic circulation.

Deep-breathing exercises powerfully help to keep the lymphatic fluid moving (e.g., yoga breathing techniques).

A full-body massage is another great way to revive a stagnant lymphatic system. A special massage technique called lymphatic drainage is particularly effective.

Individuals with severe toxicity may require an experienced practitioner to supervise their cleansing programme. While cleansing can be extremely healing, it is important to balance these cleansing therapies with a nutritional plan for rebuilding and strengthening.