Detoxify Naturally with Hydrotherapy
No spring cleaning regimen is complete without the detoxifying powers of water. Using hydrotherapy in a number of ways can increase the circulation and clearance of our main organs of detoxification: the skin, kidneys, colon, lymphatic system and liver. Hydrotherapy practices also encourage us to incorporate self-care and self-pampering into our daily routine. They consist of using water at varying temperatures to encourage blood flow, smooth muscle contraction and sweating. Taking a few minutes to practice some of these techniques helps calm our minds and direct our focus to the body. During times of cleansing, it’s important to remember that detoxification is not just about removing physical toxins in the body, but mental and emotional ones as well.
Here are 6 simple ways to incorporate hydrotherapy into your cleansing plan.
- Drink water: The powerful cleansing properties of water start from the inside out. Drinking water keeps our metabolisms sharp while increasing hydration and blood flow, which helps the colon, kidneys and lymphatic system flush out unwanted toxins. Drinking enough water gives our skin a natural, healthy glow, increases energy levels and decrease appetite, helping us achieve a healthy weight. It also helps to clear out the toxins that have been released into the body from any detoxification plan we’re on. A good rule of thumb for increasing water intake is to drink one extra cup (250 ml) of water per day and observe the effect it has on your skin, energy levels and weight. Starting every morning with a large glass of water also aids in stimulating the digestive system and sending a message to your brain that you’ve made the commitment to being healthy for that day.
- Dry skin brushing: Dry skin brushing is a gentle exfoliation and massage technique that helps increase lymphatic flow. It circulates toxins and cellular debris out of the body, while sloughing off dead skin cells, encouraging skin cell turnover and repair. Using a soft bristle brush, begin at the tips of your toes and finger and work inwards, towards the heart, moving the brush in brisk, gentle circles in a clockwise direction. Do this right before a shower and appreciate the invigorating feeling of increased circulation and a glowing complexion.
- Hot and Cold Showers: After dry brushing, practice daily alternate hot and cold showers. Complete three to five hot and cold cycles by starting with hot water for about one-two minutes and alternating with cold bursts for 30 seconds. Alternating hot and cold increases circulation, encouraging lymphatic flow, and boosts metabolism and immune function. While standing under cold water for 30 seconds at a time might sound uncomfortable, you can work your way up by starting with 30-second bursts of lukewarm water. After a while you’ll look forward to the revitalizing cold cycles as a welcome, stimulating part of your shower routine. Always remember to end the shower on a cold cycle and keep the body warm afterwards.
- Castor oil packs: Stimulating the liver and colon is crucial for proper detoxification. A cheap, easy and effective way to do this is to apply castor oil packs to the entire abdomen, covering the areas under which the liver and colon reside. To create a castor oil pack, rub castor oil over skin, cover the area with an old towel and then apply a hot water bottle on top. Leave the pack on for one hour or longer, allowing the castor oil to reach the underlying organs. The heat from the hot water bottle helps the castor oil penetrate the liver and intestines, stimulating their contraction and encouraging movement and the release of toxins and waste. Castor oil packs are also a great therapy for constipation.
- Infrared saunas: Sweating is one of the best ways to remove toxins from the lymph and blood by excreting it through the skin. Infrared saunas are excellent for this because they encourage profuse sweating and stimulate the body’s metabolism, aiding in calorie-burning. Spend up to an hour in the sauna, taking a break every 15 minutes to shower in cold water for 30 seconds, to promote healthy circulation and keep metabolism high. Remember to drink plenty of water. Also adhere to the main principle of hydrotherapy which is to end every session with cold and then keep your body warm.
- Epsom salt baths: For the relaxing end to a stressful week, fill a tub with warm water and add two cups of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate salts). Epsom salts help to pull toxins, like lactic acid, from muscles, promoting their relaxation. They also maintain the warm temperature of the bath water, promoting sweating and detoxification while you relax. As with the infrared saunas, drink plenty of water while in the bath and, before finishing, tighten skin with a 30-second burst of cold water. Then towel off and keep warm.
This article is not meant to serve as medical advice. For a more individualized assessment, please see a licensed naturopathic doctor.
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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.
