The big January cleanse

Not all juices are created equal

Hands up if you’ve tried and failed at  DIY juicing? That’ll be us then. Somehow one quarter Kale to three quarters apple juice doesn’t seem quite so appealing when it’s mushed up in the bottom of a beaker now does it?  ‘Juicing is a key part of a residential cleanse programme but if it’s not done properly it can hinder, rather than boost the effects of the detox, ‘ says Sue. ‘At home you’ll need to throw sugary fruit at the situation in order to make it palatable and this can kickstart cravings. Here at Lifehouse we mainly serve nutrient-packed vegetable based juices that contain little, if no fruit, making them so much healthier for the detoxing body.’ Yes people, the juices that really make a difference seem to be the ones that don’t taste so good. Fact. Three juices a day for upto a week?  It makes perfect sense to have them blended by someone who knows their raw ginger from their cayenne pepper.

It’s all about distracting yourself with pampering & detoxifying treatments.

Let’s face it. A mud mask in front of the TV doesn’t quite have the same appeal as an aromatic seaweed mud wrap followed by a holistic steam experience now does it? ‘As pampering as the treatments prescribed as part of a residential detox programme may sound, it’s important to remember that each is designed to compliment and boost the detoxification process,’ explains Sue.  Specific massage techniques, custom blended clays and oils all add to the journey your body is on. ‘Day one will always start with an exfoliating sea salt scrub to get the circulation going, followed by a detoxifying seaweed body wrap to stimulate your bodies natural cleansing system. Day two is when we start to move the toxins out of your body with draining full body massage technique. Day three is all about re- balancing your body with a healing reflexology foot massage.’ The aim is that each treatment corresponds to a particular phase of the detox.

They know how to guide you through the side effects of a cleanse.

Ever had a caffeine withdrawal headache? Not fun.  ‘Any good detox programme will ask you to start cutting  caffeine and alcohol out of your diet up to three days before you’re due to start cleansing,’ says Sue. ‘It helps you to make the most out of your programme here at the clinic and also gets those pesky withdrawal symptoms out of the way.’ The same applies to heavy carbs, sugar and processed food. The idea is that you’ve completed the initial parts of the cleansing process before you’ve even turned up. ‘If someone really struggles to abstain we would ease  them in  with a ‘light meals’ day to help lighten their load, before moving into the more challenging phases.’  What about exercise? Surely sweating in out in bootcamp style classes is all part and parcel of a Detox. Not according to Sue. ‘Your body doesn’t have the energy to work out during a detox. We encourage guests to swim or do a bit of yoga and sweating in the steam room is always recommended.’ Sleep is another important element that’s often overlooked; your body cleanses and heals itself overnight so the more sleep you get the better during a detox. ‘It’s actually more beneficial to sleep than it is to work out,’ says Sue. Feet up, robe on and relaxation it is then.

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