Detoxification or, detox for short, is simply the body's way of eliminating the wastes it produces and the toxins it ingests. Our bodily wastes, including those produced during cell activity, and toxins can harm our body unless they are flushed out.Other toxins are chemicals that we are exposed to via our environment, the food we eat and the water we drink. Our bodies have a natural system for removing these poisons, and it's comprised by our kidneys, lungs, skin, blood, lymphatic system, and intestines.A detox diet assists your body in flushing toxins and in effect, performs a reboot of your body.There are several different types of detox diets, but the general principles are: -Reduce the amounts of chemicals which you consume. This can be accomplished by eating organic food, for example.-Focus on foods which provide the vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients which your body needs in order to detoxify.-Emphasize fiber-rich foods, and purified water to increase the frequency of urination and bowel movements.-Some detox diets involve juicing, while others allow some solid food such as fruits and vegetables.The mind and body share a powerful bond. Detoxing your body will also benefit your emotional well-being.Once your body has released it's accumulated toxins, you will being to sleep better, have more energy, and see an increase in your mental clarity. In order to reap the maximum benefits from a physical detox, you may want to incorporate elements of a mental detox.Detoxing your mind can involve: -Maintaining a regular routine-Incorporating meditation into your day-Practicing good sleep hygiene to ensure you're getting enough quality sleep-Being mindful of your feelings-Journaling or art therapy-Counting your blessings-Socializing with friends or family who are a source of positivity This list is a good beginning but if you have mental blocks or find that you have an inability to relax, you may benefit from counseling to help you move forward and into a more positive frame of mind.Make these actions a habit, incorporate them into your routine in order to reap the benefits. Most habits become ingrained after 21-days, so keep at it and you'll find that they become second nature.There is research which suggests that the chemicals we ingest through food, water, and the environment become deposited in our fat cells. This can include toxins such as pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, chemicals from household cleaners, detergents, and food additives, heavy metals, drugs, and cigarette smoke. These are products which we buy daily from our local so it makes you think what else stores are selling. Products big chain markets are selling products which contain even more toxins so it's worth checking the labels each and every time.These accumulated toxins can weaken our immune system leading to an increase in illness. They may also cause nutritional deficiencies since our bodies are working overtime trying to eliminate these poisons.This can manifest in indigestion, tiredness, headaches, poor skin, muscle aches, chronic pain, and hormonal imbalances.The Western diet is also full of processed foods which contain large amounts of sugar and unhealthy fats. This has led to an obesity epidemic. Remember that toxins become deposited in fat cells, therefore the more fat you have, and the more toxins you have stored in your body!In addition to our poor diet, our lifestyles can also contribute to poor health. Long-term stress is harmful not just in terms of your mental health. Your body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline while under stress.Long-term exposure to these hormones as seen in chronic stress will put you at increased risk for digestive problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and memory impairment.All these factors illustrate the need for a detox. Read more for a fresh start!