Everyone loves the holiday season – but all that partying can come at a price. If overindulging in rich food and alcohol has left you feeling bloated, sluggish and generally unwell, why not try a detox? It’s not as hard as it sounds, and you don’t have to drink litres of kale juice to feel serious benefits in your body. You can detox on a daily basis, and just a few simple changes will boost your energy levels and help you feel better in yourself. Here’s our guide to creating a healthier you in 2017.

Drink lots of water (and add lemon if you can)

Starting the day with a glass of hot water and lemon will stimulate the digestive system and cleanse the liver – but if you don’t like the sound of this, then a glass of cold water will do. Drinking water throughout the day will ensure you keep hydrated and will improve the appearance of your skin, plumping it up and giving you a youthful glow. It will also help to rid the body of toxins and keep your energy levels up, so aim to drink between eight and 12 glasses of fresh, clean water every day.

Cut your sugar intake

Sugar is rife in a wide range of our foods today, and it can be pretty hard to avoid. However, consciously cutting your sugar intake will do wonders for your body, reducing fatigue and energy slumps. It’s best not to go cold turkey on this, but gradually reducing your sugar intake will help boost your metabolism and improve your overall health.

Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables

Fresh fruit and vegetables are packed full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and organic food is always going to be better for you than processed. Include these in your diet by eating leafy salads, making fresh tomato sauces for pasta dishes, or choosing freshly picked fruit over fruit juices (which are packed full of sugar). There are plenty of ways to incorporate fruit and vegetables into your diet, even if you aren’t used to eating them – and your body will thank you for it.

Swap coffee for green tea

While plenty of us are addicted to our caffeine fix in the mornings, swapping coffee for green tea will reap a range of benefits. Green tea is packed full of antioxidants, which will cleanse the liver. It will also leave you hydrated and feeling refreshed. The caffeine contained in tea differs from that found in coffee, so you can enjoy a gentler boost to your day by choosing the former option.

Eat more natural fibre

Found in fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre will aid your digestive system and help rid your body of toxins, keeping your gut healthy.

Exercise

One of the best ways to sweat out those toxins is by exercising (though the occasional sauna is also great for this). Exercise boosts the circulatory system and helps keep your heart healthy, making the body better able to flush out toxins and operate in balance. It also enhances digestion, lubricates joints, and generally strengthens your body. Whether you run, walk, cycle, swim or anything else, there are simple ways to keep active every day and even the smallest movement (such as climbing the stairs instead of taking the lift) will be of benefit. Exercise also releases endorphins, making you feel good and reducing stress.

Get enough sleep

When we sleep, our bodies are still hard at work, detoxing and digesting and keeping everything in balance. Research suggests that our brain operates more efficiently when it comes to removing waste from our cells during sleep, so it’s important we get enough of it. Getting enough shuteye will also mean you wake feeling refreshed and ready to face the day, having rested your body sufficiently.

Detox the mind with meditation

It’s important to remember that a full detox also includes our mental wellbeing. Taking the time to meditate – even as little as five minutes a day – will help you to de-stress and will improve overall wellbeing. Stress can contribute to various physical ailments, so neglecting your mind will work against everything else you’re doing to stay healthy.

For more information on detoxing and healthy living, why not go and see a naturopath? They can treat a variety of ailments and generally help you bring your body into balance.