7 Ways to Know You Have Too Many Toxins in Your Body
You could be following every conscious health tip in the book, from exercising every day to drinking enough water. However, is there something lacking? Do you feel like a light bulb just waiting for someone to turn the power on? Do you have mood swings, irritable bowels, low energy, or headaches? We have news for you: these little symptoms that most of us don’t pay attention to could be pointing to a traitor in your life. Namely, the toxins you don’t know you’re absorbing.
Some lesser-known places you might be ingesting or absorbing toxins:
- Toothpaste
- Skin care
- Unpurified water
- Fabric
- Non-organic produce and meats
- Cleaning products
- Deodorant
There are many, many more! Always check the label, and make your own products whenever possible to known exactly what’s going into your body!
Watch our E-motion mini-series video on toxin-free nutrition
How can you figure out if you’re being overwhelmed with toxins? There are a number of signs you can take a look at that will serve as warning flags for problem areas. Make sure you consult your doctor or your holistic health expert to be sure that other medical conditions are not the culprit, though!
1. Feeling Fatigued…All the Time
Being a little tired throughout the day is usually an indicator of usual energy expenditure, or that you aren’t getting enough sleep. But if you feel like you’re constantly slogging your way through the day, your body might be overclocked. Not only is it running the usual systems, it also might be working very hard to get rid of the toxins you’re consuming. Drinking more coffee just isn’t going to do it.
The other issue that might be below the surface is the hormone disruption taking place, thanks to the toxins. They could be creating issues in your immune system, wreaking havoc on your energy levels.
2. Weight Fluctuations
Losing weight isn’t a walk in the park to begin with, but if you’re doing all the right things, like exercising properly and correcting your diet, and still not seeing results, toxins could be at fault. It could be another result of hormonal disruption. Our natural hormone function can be greatly affected by the toxins in our foods and personal care products. Try a complete detox of your diet and personal care routine to give your weight loss efforts a fighting chance.
3. Stinky Breath
Even with proper oral hygiene (or a Tic Tac or 10), bad breath can often be a symptom of something deeper. All the way in your gut, in fact. Stinky breath can be linked to digestive problems, but it can also mean that your liver is struggling to get rid of the toxins in your body.
4. Constipation
Constipation is one constant in your life that you want to avoid. It can create upset stomach, headaches, aches, pains, and tiredness. If you’re overworking your intestines with toxins, they may not function like you’d like, backing up and storing all those toxins. By allowing them to stay in our bodies, they continue to do their dirty work, harming our systems. Put down the processed foods filled with chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives and give your digestive system a helping hand.
5. Smell-Sensitive
No, pregnancy might not be the cause. If you’re reacting strongly to scents like fragrances in particular, your body might be trying to tell you that it’s overly sensitive to chemicals. It doesn’t want to be around them anymore, seeing as how it’s loaded with toxins and just can’t handle an addition. A strong indicator that toxins are the root of the issue is if you’re frequently suffering from headaches or nausea from scents.
6. Muscle Pain
Toxins do, in fact, eat at your muscles and joints. If you haven’t pushed yourself at the gym and can’t explain away your aches and soreness, take a look at the toxins in your life. If you can’t tie these to your workout yesterday, could be that the toxins in your life are working away at your muscles and joints. This is more likely if you experience muscle aches on a regular basis.
7. Skin Reactions
Is your acne flaring up? This is a strong sign that you have a toxin overload, either in your diet or skin care products. If not acne, rashes, puffy eyes, eczema or psoriasis can be red flags, too.
Easy Solutions to Try
Did you check off one or more of these symptoms? It’s time to give your body some help. We’ve covered a few of these before, so we can bring you plenty of information and ideas:
- Consume naturally detoxing (and liver-boosting!) foods and drinks. Items like dandelion tea, parsley, cilantro, and milk thistle are all great for this purpose.
- Get your proper amount of water in your system; this will assist in flushing toxins out of your body.
- Don’t laze around; exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise gets the circulation moving, helping to move toxins along, plus it primes your body and overall health.
- Consume digestion-supportive probiotics every day. We’ve discussed kombucha before, but you can also try kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, miso soup, tempeh, and kimchi.
- Start brushing your tongue to rid your body of contaminants that normally sits there. If you can handle it, a tongue scraper is even better.
- Air moves energy in our bodies, and it moves airborne toxins, too! Start deep breathing to deport many of the toxins out through your lungs.
- Stop relying on chemical-laden skin care products. Make your own or use trusted products that are free of fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and other potentially toxic ingredients. Get in the habit of reading that label!
Choose clean, whole, and organic foods whenever possible.
About the Author
Tapping Or EFT: What It Is And How It Can Help You Emotionally
Tapping, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), is a therapeutic tool that seeks to release emotional blocks through the stimulation of energy points on the body. This technique combines elements of psychology and acupressure to address stress, anxiety, pain, and other difficult emotions. In this article, we explore what tapping is, how it works, and how it can help you regain your emotional well-being.
Table of Contents
- What Is Tapping And How Does It Work On Your Emotions?
- How Does Tapping Work On The Body And Mind?
- Benefits Of Tapping: What This Tool Is Good For
- How To Practice A Tapping Round Step By Step
- What Does Science Say About Tapping?
- What Is The Origin Of Tapping And Who Developed It?
- How To Begin Incorporating Tapping Into Your Daily Life
What Is Tapping And How Does It Work On Your Emotions?
Tapping is an emotional self-regulation technique that consists of gently tapping with the fingers on certain points of the body linked to the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. While stimulating these points, phrases are spoken aloud that acknowledge the emotional issue being addressed. This combination allows the release of energetic blocks associated with memories, thoughts, or sensations that cause distress.
On an emotional level, tapping helps to process difficult experiences without repressing them or becoming trapped in them. By validating what we feel while simultaneously activating specific points on the body, a sense of relief and inner safety is created. That’s why it is considered an effective tool for calming states of anxiety, stress, fear, guilt, or sadness.
How Does Tapping Work On The Body And Mind?
From a physiological perspective, tapping reduces the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the fight-or-flight response to stress. By stimulating certain acupuncture points, calming signals are sent to the brain, which can lower cortisol levels and promote a state of relaxation. This allows the body to feel safer, even when facing difficult emotions or memories.
On a mental level, tapping supports the reorganization of beliefs associated with negative emotions. By repeating conscious phrases during the process, patterns of thought that often operate automatically are reprogrammed. The result is a deeper connection with what we feel, accompanied by an internal sense of relief, stability, and perspective.
Benefits Of Tapping: What This Tool Is Good For
Tapping is a versatile technique that can be used to relieve emotional, physical, and energetic discomfort. By focusing on the connection between body and emotion, it allows the release of internal blocks and the restoration of balance.
- Stress reduction: Helps calm the nervous system and relieve accumulated tension. It’s useful during times of emotional or mental overload.
- Anxiety management: Allows the identification of thoughts that fuel anxiety and the release of the associated emotional burden. Improves the sense of internal control.
- Fear processing: Facilitates facing fears and phobias with greater stability. Reduces automatic reactions to stimuli that previously triggered alarm.
- Releasing repressed emotions: Offers a safe space to recognize and express what we feel. Encourages emotional flow without judgment.
- Improving insomnia: By reducing anxiety and mental noise, it supports deeper rest. It can also be used before bed as a relaxing routine.
- Support in physical pain: Relieves bodily tension related to unexpressed emotions. Complements physical treatments from a holistic perspective.
- Support during personal processes: It’s helpful during times of change, grief, or personal growth. Aids in integrating emotions and finding inner clarity.
How To Practice A Tapping Round Step By Step
Practicing a round of tapping is simple and does not require external tools. All you need is a quiet space, your hands, and the willingness to connect with what you’re feeling. Below we share the essential steps to perform a tapping round:
- Identify and name what you’re feeling: The first step is to connect with a specific emotion, recurring thought, or physical discomfort you want to address. The more specific the identification, the more effective the practice.
- Formulate a setup phrase: This phrase should include the problem you’re feeling and a statement of acceptance. An example could be: “Even though I feel afraid of change, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Repeat this phrase while stimulating the first point.
- Stimulate the karate point: With the fingers of one hand, gently tap the outer edge of the other hand (known as the karate point). While doing this, repeat the setup phrase out loud or mentally about three times.
- Tap through the body points: Then proceed with the traditional tapping sequence: eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, chin, collarbone, and under the arm. At each point, apply light taps while naming what you’re feeling or repeating phrases related to the issue being worked on.
- Observe and close: At the end of the round, take a deep breath and assess whether the intensity of the emotion has changed. You can repeat the process if needed or close with a positive phrase that affirms the new emotional state, such as: “Now I feel calmer and more at peace.”
What Does Science Say About Tapping?
In recent years, tapping has attracted the interest of the scientific community, especially in the fields of clinical psychology and mind-body medicine. Various studies have indicated that the practice of EFT can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and improve symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma.
Although it is still considered a complementary therapy, institutions such as the APA (American Psychological Association) have begun to recognize its therapeutic potential, particularly when it is integrated with other approaches. Research continues to expand, but early results suggest that tapping is not only safe, but also effective in promoting emotional well-being and reducing nervous system activation.
What Is The Origin Of Tapping And Who Developed It?
Tapping was developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig, an American engineer with training in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Craig was inspired by the work of psychologist Roger Callahan, who had created a technique called TFT (Thought Field Therapy) that combined acupressure and verbal therapy. By simplifying that method, Craig designed what we now know as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
The foundation of tapping is found in traditional Chinese medicine, particularly in the stimulation of the body’s energy meridians. Craig proposed that by applying gentle tapping on specific points while working on a concrete emotion, it is possible to unblock stagnant energy and restore internal balance.
Since its creation, tapping has spread widely as an emotional self-regulation technique that is accessible, practical, and adaptable to different contexts. Its popularity grew due to its ease of use and the testimonials of people who report significant relief with just a few minutes of daily practice.
How To Begin Incorporating Tapping Into Your Daily Life
Including tapping in your daily routine can be as simple as taking a few minutes a day to connect with yourself. Upon waking, a brief tapping round can help you set a clear intention and release any tension that arises with the first thoughts of the day. It’s also a useful tool for recognizing how you feel before starting your activities.
During the day, you can turn to tapping in specific moments of discomfort or emotional blockage. If you’re going through a stressful situation, a short pause to apply the technique can help release emotional charge and return to center. Emotions don’t need to be intense—even subtle states like worry or irritation can be addressed effectively.
At night, tapping can help you close the day with greater calm. It’s a good time to review how you felt, give thanks for what you experienced, and let go of what you don’t need to carry into rest. The more natural this space of emotional connection becomes, the easier it will be to return to it whenever you need it.
