I am now in New York, and I was thinking of this topic: Detoxing Through Our Most Important Organ in the Cold Months. Our skin is our largest detoxifying organ, through which a great deal of toxins and impurities are flushed out on a daily basis.
Sweating is a really great way to detox, as it helps open up our pores to assist in the releasing of these toxins. Since living in LA for the last few months, because it is so dry I notice that I don’t sweat very much. Even this past weekend when it was in the 80’s (not rubbing it in to my East Coast friends! :) ) and I went hiking, I didn’t really sweat very much.
Hmmm…some people might like it and find it more “comfortable.” Me, I welcome the sweat because I know how healthy and beneficial it is!
Here’s how to get your sweat on in the cold months:
1. Check out an infrared sauna in your area: An infrared sauna will heat up to high temperatures, definitely making you sweat. But it goes even further than a regular sauna in that it has the ability to penetrate deep down into the subcutaneous tissue for even deeper cleansing, helping to chelate heavy metals and foreign toxins that are trapped in our fat cells. Sunlighten in a popular infrared sauna brand that is found in spas or natural health centers. I like their saunas very much. If you have a choice between a 1-person sauna and a 2-person sauna, I do find that the 1-person Sunlighten saunas heat up much faster- generating more sweat during your session! Sessions generally last about 45 minutes. I try to go when I can…sometimes I get busy. But I would like to make an effort to go once a week here in LA.
2. Get thee to a hot yoga class. I’m not necessarily talking Bikram here, or even a heated “power” vinyasa class. Just a class in a studio that has rooms that naturally heat up- perhaps because the class itself gets really full, or that the room is a cozy size. It also combines deep breathing, which is in and of itself detoxing as well.
3. If you have a water filter, take a hot bath. If you don’t- then I don’t recommend it. Seriously! When we take hot baths and showers our pores open up, and you can absorb heavy metals and toxins in the water supply, such as chlorine. But if you have filtered water, then it is also a great way to open up your pores. Plus you can use a cloth or loofah to exfoliate your skin at the same time, promoting detoxification even more! I installed a filter in my LA apt. within the first few weeks.
We may have to go out of our way to sweat more in the winter…but it is well worth the effort to promote detoxification on an ongoing basis in our bodies, to look and feel our best.
One other think you could consider doing is a water cleanse, something I enjoy doing when it feels like a lot of gunk has built up in my system.
Love, Kimberly
Good post. I was actually just wondering this, especially as I live in Canada and the dark winter days have taken away most of my desire to exercise. I was going to go to a first month special at a hot yoga studio in the new year, and I think this blog made up my mind!
Take care Kim!
I’m in new York and it’s not as cold as it is in Canada, but the winter makes me want to stay in doors and not exercise. It’s hard. I have found that forcing myself to work out on the weekend and being mindful of the food that I eat helps alot. One of my friends bought a treadmill so she doesn’t have to deal with the winter blahs. That may be cost prohibitive. Sometimes just committing to running a certain number of miles per week, and reminding yourself that you’ll feel good after you get going, is the winter push you need. Happy new year
Thanks Janet!
Yeah I do always feel so much better after exercise, sometimes it is just hard to remember that though! I hope you have a good new year as well, take care :)
Thanks Kim,
Do you have a recommendation for a bath filter? I LOVE hot baths but need a good filter.
Thanks so much!
Marissa
Thank you so much for this post! I’m in SoCal so I’ll look in to the infrared saunas. I had one done a month ago and loved it :) I’ve actually been shopping around for water filters this week. Awesome timing! So have a Q, is there a water filter for your shower that you recommend or use??
when’s that book coming? I am so looking forward to it. Are you around for lunch next week? miss you!
Hi Kimberly,
great to read your thoughts! they are fun and exciting. I was wondering how often you recommend to do hot yoga?. Also, is there a drink for winter months..I take the veg smoothie you listed, but it’s really cold in the morn for winter months. Could u pls recommend something hot I can make on my own without too much trouble…much appreciated!
keep up the great work!
Shahab
Agreed Kimberly, A great idea for countering the effects of winter. Portland’s cold gray days can be trying, so we use infrared saunas too. Thanks for the good information. Stay warm this winter.
When is your book coming out?
Hi Kimberly,
Not sure if you remember me, but I had contacted you via e-mail about a year ago for a health consultation, as I was/am going through a tough life change that has affected my health. Was wondering if you are still available??? Please let me know! Thanks so much! :) Pam
It’s so great to learn little tips on staying healthy all year long. My growing interest in my overall health keeps me coming back to this blog! I also recently went to an event by Invel USA and their outlook on health and wellness is so inspiring that I am thinking about becoming a representative. You should check them out too!