Detox

Learn more about the positive effects of detoxification for health, fitness and weight loss.

The Detox Food Myth – Our Nutritionist Weighs In

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Detox Food Myths

There has been a lot of talk lately about “detoxing foods” – superfoods that cleanse everything from your liver to your spleen. In fact, take a walk through any health food store and you’ll notice a lot of products bearing the word “detox.”

Recently the well-respected Guardian newspaper in the UK did an exposé about a lot of these foods and claimed that detoxifying is a myth – that the word should only ever be applied to someone suffering from life-threatening drug addiction.

And yet, at Mountain Trek, we use the word “detoxify” often – in fact, it defines one of the five paths of the program, which also includes nutrition, fitness, sleep, and stress reduction. So what is the difference between the modern-day media’s use of the word “detox” and the way it’s used at Mountain Trek?

To discover the answer, we spoke with Mountain Trek’s nutritionist Jennifer Keirstead about the differences between detoxifying foods and detoxifying your body.

Jennifer Keirstead, Nutritionist at Mountain Trek1. Is there such a thing as a food that detoxifies?

J: I certainly think there are foods that can help our bodies in the process of being healthy. I like the idea of eating to nourish ourselves. A diet full of color, variety, fresher, and less packaged foods. These foods, when eaten regularly, help keep us healthy all year round.

2. We hear a lot about “detoxing teas” and “superfoods” that clean out the body. Are there really examples of detoxing foods?

J: Fresh foods, with lots of colors, are abundant in nutrients, making them both nourishing and satisfying. Some of my personal favorites include leafy greens, cilantro, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, apples, berries, garlic, and ginger. I like the idea of buying local and in season, to increase the freshness and nutrient density of my food.

3. Why do you think there is a fad around foods that detoxify right now?

J: I think everyone loves trying something new. We get bored because we’re used to having so many options. This is another reason why eating seasonally makes sense, we can get the variety we really crave. Those fresh summer strawberries only have a small growing window, you truly enjoy and savor them when there not available every day. Besides, our lives are busy! When we stop for a minute to reflect, chances are we all feel like we need to detoxify from some part of our jam-packed life. I think just the word “detoxification” itself can be comforting. It can make us feel like we’re being proactive in reducing the amount of lifestyle stress we often expose ourselves to.

4. What is a better way to detoxify your body?

J: I like to look at detoxification as a whole body and lifestyle process. If we could take into account all the different areas in which we may need to make adjustments. These include increasing physical activity, enjoying dry saunas, eating nourishing, whole foods on a regular basis, and addressing all that mental clutter through practices like meditation, yoga, or getting out into nature. All of this helps relieve toxic stress and a toxic lifestyle.

5. What are 5 examples of food to avoid because they are very toxic to your body?

J: I believe so much in moderation. Some of the things we might truly enjoy from time to time, may not always be the best for our body. Enjoying indulgent foods in balance helps supports realistic expectations, and can still be part of a healthy, yet sustainable, lifestyle. Excessive amounts of caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods can have a toxic effect on us both mentally and physically. Try and make these things an occasional part of life, and remember it’s what you do MOST of the time that matters.

 

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

The Importance of Digital Detox and How To Do It

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close up of someone on their cellphone

Many ask about our digital detox program at Mountain Trek. As many of us become addicted to our phones, it’s that much more important to remember to take time away from all things digital. That’s why it’s so great to visit Mountain Trek because we’re immersed in the most beautiful natural environment in North America. One in which it’s impossible to get cell coverage for large parts of the day because we’re hiking in mountain landscapes.

Why are we hearing so much about digital detox these days?

a couple in their kitchen both on their own tech devices

So why are we hearing more and more about digital detox lately? According to the latest polls conducted by research corporation Ipsos, 40% of adults feel the need to “disconnect” and 71% of respondents claim they’re spending less time connecting with people face-to-face due to media consumption. Aside from the negative social ramifications, this digital dependence also comes with health costs. Digital screens can contribute to visual fatigue, headaches, and strain of the body from being stationary for so long. Also, the intense white-blue backlight of our screens raises our “wake-up” and stress hormone cortisol, often overriding our sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Other studies have found that technology contributes to higher stress, strains on relationships and family, and attention disorders.

Why are digital devices so addictive?

a group of people holding cellphones close up

If you can’t help but check your phone immediately after waking up, and then continually throughout the day every few minutes, you’re not alone. Our bodies actually crave the results of shared information via our screened devices – we’re hard-wired for it! This results from hundreds of thousands of years ago when the ancestors of homo sapiens developed physical reactions to information. When knowledge was shared (or the promise of knowledge) that could make life easier and ensure survival, their brains were flooded with dopamine, the feel-good hormone.

The same is true today. Research shows that our prehistoric brains still flood us with dopamine when our phones “ping” to let us know there’s potential knowledge or survival tools waiting for us to discover. Each notification is a little gift-wrapped packet that might make a difference to our survival. At the same time, our limbic brains are reassured that we’re socially connected. It’s the perfect formula resulting in us feeling “good” every time we receive a notification through our digital device.

Why is this addiction so dangerous?

someone laying in bed sleeping and holding a cellphone

The problem with this scenario is that our brain is actually being fooled. Very few of us receive survival tools via our social feeds and, overall, our social media interaction is incredibly shallow. This leads to “solitarism”; a buzzword that is gaining in popularity as people suffer loneliness, despite being “connected” via multiple social media streams.

How does Mountain Trek provide a digital detox retreat?

While there is WiFi in the Mountain Trek lodge, we ensure guests do not use their devices in the common areas. Nor do we have a television, radio, nor any news media on site. This is because our aim is to lower the stress hormone cortisol in your body so you can reclaim the health benefits of a raised metabolism. In other words, we want our experience to be all about you and your own health. That means there isn’t a lot of external stimuli pulling you away from your goals.

How to Digital Detox at home

Plan with intent

Having a plan in place sets you up for success. Be clear about what you’ll give up, for how long, and when. If you’re agreeing not to check email in the evening, be clear about exactly what hours and what days this takes effect. Going into this with clear intention will also allow you to monitor your own reactions to digital breaks. Then, you can plan for responses of how to deal with any jonesing. Develop your plan, and stick to it. As you tally your victories, you can expand your goals.

Start slow

If you’re checking your email every 10 minutes, an entire week of digital detox may induce heart palpitations. To start, for example, if you’re going to your son’s soccer game, make a point and a plan to leave your cellphone in the car with the intention of not checking it for those 2 hours. Start slowly, and gradually, and this will be the key to breaking any dependence.

Tell friends and family

You don’t want them to think you’re MIA. To avoid unnecessary worry and to enlist support, let your friends and family in on your digital detox plan. And who knows, maybe they’ll even join you, and you can both go tech-free for the afternoon!

Learn from your detox

The goal of a detox isn’t to see how long you can go without doing something. It’s about breathing a sigh of relief at the end so you can jump back into old patterns wholeheartedly. The takeaway from your digital detox should not only be that you can live without checking your phone every few minutes but also learning about yourself, and what you like doing when monitors and screens aren’t involved. And with this, you can integrate new hobbies and patterns into your every day.

Plan alternatives

When you decide to stop or reduce online time, you will create a void in your time. Filling the void with enjoyable activities is key to beating any gadget addiction. This is where our helpful hints list “7 Fun Things you can do Instead of checking Your Email” can be helpful.

Create a tech-free zone

Pick a space in your home, preferably in a public area like your living room. This will encourage more ‘live’ conversation, more gadget-free activities, and less mindless scrolling. Alternatively, have a family agreement to turn off the modem or WiFi at a certain time in the evening.

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Digital Detox Tips For A Stress-Free Life

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person-typing-on-phone

Do you spend more time checking your phone than looking at your lunch date? Or find yourself checking social media frequently and experience anxiety if you forget your phone at home? You’re not alone – the Western world is dependent on technology, and we don’t go long without checking a screen. But we can make strides towards a healthy relationship with technology using these digital detox tips.

7 things you can do to digital detox:

1. Get reading

Go back to an original paper book and put down the ebook!

2. Live theatre

Give your eyes a rest from the screen and treat yourself to a night at the theatre or opera.

3. Stretch

Have a good stretch; whether 10 minutes sitting in a chair, or going to a local yoga class, we could all use a little more stretching.

4. Get some fresh air

Go for a walk, hike, or a bike ride – even for just a few minutes, the fresh air revitalizes immensely.

5. Get creative

Paint, draw, pottery, or make a blanket fort with the kids! Accomplishing a creative endeavor brings a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. It can be a tangible, beautiful result of time digital detoxing.

6. Cook

Make a big batch of soup for the freezer for ready-meals, or make a bean salad for dinner and a few work lunches. This is a great opportunity to create a healthy nutrition plan for your week!

7. Have company

Engage in any of the above with a loved one! Face to face interaction rather than online interactions has been proven to uplift mood, reduce more stress, and release endorphins. So rather than chatting online, go out for a tea or a walk!

Try having one digital detox day per week. Turn off the computer, phone, and Netflix to see what fun you can have without being plugged in and how you feel after having that cleanse.

Digital Detox Tips

Technology as friend, not foe

Integrate some digital detox practices into your life to promote a healthy relationship with technology, rather than a dependant one. 

Health apps: More applications exist for our smartphones than we could ever dream up. The Mountain Trek App can support you on your wellness journey.

Alarms and reminders: if you spend the majority of your time on or near a computer, use it to your advantage! Set reminders or alarms to remind yourself when to have that healthy snack, or when to get up and go for a 15-minute walk to stretch the muscles and get some fresh air.

Tip: Use your computer or phone’s calendar to organize your week; when you’ll go swimming at the pool, when you’ll go to that pump class, and you can even schedule in the time to go for an after-dinner walk with your partner. Treating all these aspects of your health as ‘real’ and important appointments will make you less inclined to ditch them.

Your digital detox, like any detox, is important to cleanse and grow towards more desirable habits in your every day. Learning to use technology as a tool towards our goals, as opposed to addiction is sure to benefit us in the long run. And who knows, while you’re not online, you may just discover something fun that you love doing, unplugged or not!

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress, anxiety, and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Reduce Dehydration

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Proper Hydration During Your Stay

Do you get enough water each day? With all the other beverage options available, how could we? Yet, without water we could not survive. Hydration is one of the most important factors in health. In fact, research has shown that drinking five glasses of water throughout the day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and breast cancer by 79%. Also, lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Thankfully, drinking a few glasses of water easily rectifies it. (Consider that the next time you reach for an afternoon coffee.)

At Mountain Trek we make sure you stay fully hydrated all day long. Proper hydration helps flush our unwanted fat cells and toxins held within our bodies. To release those quickly, lots of water is required. Besides, when you taste the water at our BC lodge, you’ll want to keep coming back for more. Our fresh, clean spring water that is UV treated tastes sweet it’s so good – definitely better than the chlorinated well water that comes out of most of our taps.

Spa Cuisine

Our all-inclusive spa style menu does not include stimulants or caffeine. The diet is designed for maximum use of water to flush fat and toxins.

Water Sources

At our British Columbia lodge, the mountain spring water is UV filtered and available from all taps. You will want to drink more as the sweet refreshing taste is memorable.

Full Hydration

A water bottle and hydration pack is provided for your hikes and fitness classes. A drink is always just a reach away. The more you drink the better the results.

Spa & Sauna

We’ll make your body thirsty in a controlled environment to help reduce toxins and release fat cells. Lose that weight in the sauna and replace it with good clean water.

Holiday Health and Fitness Challenge: a wholesome head start for 2014

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[portfolio_slideshow id=6078] A hearty congratulations are in order to us all. We made it through the toughest, most temptation-filled, overindulgent part of the holidays!

Sure, there’s still one more epic night of jubilation, but New Year’s Eve is less about stuffing ourselves with delicious food, and more about celebrating (with possibly one-too-many drinks) what was hopefully a healthy, happy and bountiful 2013, while wishing the best to each other for the year ahead.

As we start thinking about our resolutions for 2014–whether it’s quitting smoking, eating healthier, exercising more, or a host of other healthy lifestyle improvements–now is a good time to also start taking the initial steps towards achieving those resolutions. Why wait until January 2nd to reboot a healthy lifestyle?

Whether you’re still scuttling between the final few office parties and family gatherings, or you’re on a sun-filled vacation, Mountain Trek has come up with a manageable way to reset your perspective and kick start a fresh, healthier you.

Join us for our Holiday Health and Fitness Challenge– seven days of effective tasks to improve your overall health. Complete the challenge and we think you’ll find that sticking to your New Year’s resolutions will be that much easier.

We’d love to hear about your experience during the Holiday Health and Fitness Challenge. Keep us posted on your progress, the hurdles that you face and how you feel at the end. Good luck!

December 29, 2013: 
Day One: CORE

Challenge: We start our challenge by focusing on our core. Functional movements are highly dependent on the core, and lack of core development can result in a predisposition to injury. The major muscles of the core reside in the area of the belly and the mid and lower back, and peripherally include the hips, the shoulders and the neck.

Task: There are many core-strengthening exercises you can do, from knee fold tucks, to ball routines, to plank exercises. Find a few that you feel comfortable with and try them out at some point today.

December 30, 2013: 
Day Two: DETOX

Challenge: Our lifestyles put our bodies to the test. Rising stress levels, lack of exercise, constipation, poor diet and poor lifestyle choices – not to mention the ever-increasing levels of toxins in our environment – push our bodies to their limits. While it’s impossible to avoid toxins completely, it’s important to support your body so it can get rid of them.

Task: Today we challenge you to an infrared sauna. An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light experienced as radiant heat, which is absorbed by the surface of the skin. Taking a 20-minute infrared sauna is a great way to sweat out toxins, with a side benefit of weight loss.

December 31, 2013:
Day Three: NUTRITION

Challenge: Today we want you to eat breakfast. And not only that, we want you to eat breakfast within a half hour of waking up. So many of us skip breakfast altogether. Not today. Eating breakfast kick starts our metabolism, supports our circadian rhythms and keeps our livers from initiating the “famine” response.

Task: Make yourself a fruit and veggie smoothie (or prepare it the night before and keep it in the fridge), enjoy a bowl of muesli, scrambled eggs, or broccoli and smoked cheese frittata in the morning. Whatever your choice try and include equal volumes of complex carbohydrates, protein, vegetables or fruit, as well as a teaspoon of omega oil.

January 1st, 2014:
Day Four: SLEEP

Challenge: This one shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, especially if you’ve been up celebrating the night before.
As an adult, our being needs between 7.5 and 9 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, in order to maintain a healthy, growth-centered metabolism.

Task: The challenge on this night is to go to bed early (get cozy in bed between 9 and 10pm) and sleep relatively undisturbed for 7 to 9 hours.
If, like so many of us, you spend too many hours on your computer, download justgetflux.com. During the day, computer screens look good—they’re designed to look like the sun. But, at 9PM, 10PM, or 3AM, you probably shouldn’t be looking at the sun. The f.lux software fixes this: it makes the color of your computer’s display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day.

Have a good night…

January 2nd, 2014
Day Five: STRESS

Challenge: For some of us, today’s challenge may be the toughest… a gadgetry detox. Try one full day without a technological gadget or social media platform that usually has you so absorbed in it that you feel a sense of panic when that thing is temporarily taken a way from you.

Always being available to answer an email or take a call from someone at work has made our workdays 10 to 14 hours long (in some cases longer).

Task: Just for today, turn it all off! Your heart rate just went up didn’t it? You’ll be okay.

If it’s absolutely not possible to turn it all off, try one gadget at a time. Turn off your cell phone, or try no emailing, or no television, or no Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. And substitute the dopamine fix that you usually get from the gadgets, with a healthy dopamine boost. Shut your cell off, go for a hike. Substitute a no-social-media-day with a day of visiting friends and family. Turn it all off and fill your day with yoga, meditation, and healthy cooking.

 January 3rd, 2014
Day Six: WILLPOWER

Challenge: Admittedly, if you successfully went through a gadget detox the day before, then your willpower is on the right track. But now it’s time to strengthen it even more, because today is the day you engage one of your resolutions for 2014.

Task: Pick a healthy habit and embrace it. Today is the day you start yoga classes, or begin healthy cooking classes, or reconnect with an estranged loved one, start writing that novel you’ve always wanted or find some way to love yourself a little more every day. Whatever it is, seize the day with open arms, open mind and open heart.

January 4th, 2014
Day Seven: NATURE

Challenge: Has it been a while since you’ve explored and enjoyed the great outdoors?  On this, the final day of our Heath and Fitness Challenge, we urge you to get outside and play. We don’t need science to tell us that doing some form of healthy activity outdoors is good for the soul.

Task: Take your dog for a long walk along the beach, go for a hike with your son, snowshoe with your daughters, cross-country ski with an old friend, swim in the ocean with your spouse, stroll through the neighbourhood with your grandchild, or ride bikes with your mom. Whatever it is, get out there, breath the fresh air and be thankful that you’ve made it another year!

Once again, let us know how you do, we’d love to hear from you and good luck!

Spa Expansion at Mountain Trek

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GLUNS_140719_0264Melanie Robin, Guest Services Coordinator sat down with Kirkland Shave, General Manager and Program Director at Mountain Trek. The topic for discussion was around the new construction currently under way at the lodge at Mountain Trek.

Melanie: Hi Kirkland, you’ve literally just returned from Rancho La Puerta in Mexico, and the alumni gathering in DC. Welcome back!

Kirkland: Thank you, Melanie. Glad to be home.

Melanie: So we’ve had a lot of construction going on here the past couple weeks. What exactly are we building?

Kirkland: We are doing two major renovations. We are rebuilding and enlarging our infra-red detoxification sauna within the spa area, and we are also replacing our original, tiny, hot tub, with a beautiful, 8-person hot tub and cold plunge spa facility. This is being built in between our current spa building, and the dining room. It will be sitting 3 feet above the ground so that while people are in the pool, it can add to their stress reduction by drinking in the gorgeous views of Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Mountains. This tastefully tiled, elevated deck will be back-dropped by a stone and moss waterfall grotto. We want our visitors to feel like they’re in a natural mountain pool.

Melanie: Wow, sounds awesome!

Kirkland: It will be! The construction is actually pretty complex because we have to work within the confines of colder winter weather. In fact a whole building will have to be erected over the site in order to keep everything from freezing, so that all the stone work, etc. can cure properly. The whole area will also be landscaped with a zen, natural approach. My wife, Andrea, who is an artist and landscaper, will be coming on the Japan trek to gain inspiration for the pool landscaping.

Melanie: Great inspiration. How will it improve the Mountain Trek experience?

Kirkland: It’s definitely going to add to the detoxification process, as it will be more streamlined, having the spa and hot and cold pools connected. It will also add yet another immersion in nature with the amazing view, to help lower the stress hormone, Cortisol. As well as increasing the pleasure quotient by having a larger party pool for the guests!

Melanie: Estimated project completion date?

Kirkland: Just in time for the start of the season in May 2014.

Melanie: Nice. So…any chance the staff might be able to give it a test dip before we open for the season?!

Kirkland: Sure – but you might want to wait until the heaters are installed!

Check out the project blue prints or follow construction progress on Facebook.

UPDATE: The spa is complete and our guest are enjoying our new beautiful facility.

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What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Time to Spring Clean Your Body

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Spas or America Top 50 Spas in Canada

Clearing out the clutter is common this time of the year, and what better time than to clean out your body too! If you can’t shed those stubborn winter pounds, then a detoxification cleanse is probably needed to restore your body back into balance. Why detox? Because an overload of toxins in your body will prevent you from losing weight, no matter how hard you work out.

Our bodies are working non-stop to keep our sensitive organs safe from the harmful effects of toxins. But our modern world is also a toxic one, filled with pollution, pesticides, estrogen-mimicking plastic compounds and food additives – all of which contribute to an epidemic of disease and obesity.

A Body that Holds onto Toxins Holds on to Fat 

Detoxification is any process that removes injurious substances from your body. These substances can be biological, such as bacteria, viruses, mold, yeast and parasites, or harmful industrial chemicals like heavy metals, compounds from agriculture, food processing, cosmetics, cleaners and paints. In the past, most of our toxins were biological. Nowadays, we have to remove chemical compounds and heavy metals for our bodies. Processed foods alone contain more than 3,000 chemicals that are not natural!

Our main detox organs are the lungs, intestines, liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and skin. BUT, if we can’t detoxify fast enough, our fat cells will enlarge so the body can store the excess toxins and keep them safely away from sensitive tissue. When the toxins are more concentrated, our fat cells will also increase in size to keep them diluted.

Food-Fresh-Salad-Rolls-with-Almond‐Lime-dressing2.jpgHere are some tips to support your body in the Detoxification Process:

  • Detox Cleanse Kits – With guidance from a Health or Nutritional professional, consider a Liver Cleanse, Fast, Parasite / Colon / or a Yeast Cleanse.
  • Diet – Go Organic! Eat pesticide-free produce, and less processed food. Including “super” greens such as Chlorella and Cilantro into your diet for the natural chelation process of the bonding of chemicals for elimination.
  • Water – Drink at least 64 oz. of water a day to support your kidney’s removal of water-soluble toxins. Your urine should be “almost clear” throughout your day.
  • Fiber – Eat fiber-rich foods to aid your intestines in moving toxins out of the body. Aim for 2 to 3 bowel movements per day. Constipation leads to toxin re-absorption.
  • Sweat – Utilize intense exercise, saunas and steams to aid the release of stored toxins. Try having a deeper sweat to cleanse once a week. Drink extra water to support the flush.
  • Massage – Bodywork and Yoga support the drainage of toxins through the lymphatic system (which clears the body of cellular waste). Try to incorporate one or both on a weekly basis. 

Not only will supporting your body’s detox functions protect your sensitive organs and tissue, and avoid the enlargement of fat cells and storage of chemical encased fatty acids, but it will make you FEEL lighter and clean.

Detox Your Mind

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Fed up with the steady onslaught of bad news and anxiety in the world?  With the depressing media stories and global strife which creates worry over things you have no control over, the daily news does not often support a peaceful and relaxed state of mind.

Thanks to technology, bad news is everywhere now, and taking a break from the negativity of it is essential to your health on all levels; physically, mentally and emotionally.  Feeling clear, balanced and good in your life is not just a fanciful memory of way things used to be, but a state of being that with intention, only you can create for yourself.

Along with the fitness and weight loss benefits of vacationing at a Wellness Retreat, the rising trend of “healthy vacations” is answering the need for allowing people to unplug from their stressful lives, the TV and computer, unhealthy habits, and  cram-packed schedules that leaves little time for self reflection and adequate sleep, let alone feeling full of vitality.

Guests Hiking

Detoxification is any process that removes injurious substances from your body.

If you’re regularly being exposed to unpleasant news, or barely manage to juggle an overloaded schedule of too many obligations and deadlines, have you considered taking a detox break from that lifestyle as well?  The effects of these stressors is far reaching, such as skyrocketing Cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which wreaks havoc on your metabolism, immune system and hormones.  And we won’t mention the bad moods, irritability and depression.

If you’re of an age to remember the days before computers, email and smart phones, than part of you longs to return to that way of being, if only for a short while, and if only to remember what it feels like to be yourself again without gadgets, technology and a long list of to-dos.

If you’re feeling overburdened in your body and mind, you’re certainly not alone.  That’s why more people than ever are turning to Fitness Retreats as their answer to distressing, detoxing, losing weight, and unplugging from their busy lives.

Brushing Your Skin for Detox & Weight Loss

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Dry brushes on a wood background.

By Jennifer Keirstead, Holistic Nutritionist at Mountain Trek

 We’re told to brush our teeth, but what about our skin?

Healthy skin needs to breathe. Rid it regularly of dry skin cells and the body will react by producing new skin cells more rapidly. Your skin will immediately feel silkier and on the long term, will look healthier, loosing that dry, pasty appearance. –The Epicurean Table

Your body has a series of lymphatic vessels responsible for draining fluid (called lymph) from your tissues, then emptying them back into the bloodstream. It actually acts as a second circulatory system, which is responsible for transporting infection-fighting cells, removing foreign matter and cleaning up cell debris.

A dry brushing benefit is encouraging blood circulation and cell regeneration. Both of these actions promote internal detoxification which can aid in weight loss, cellulite reduction and the elimination of accumulated toxins.

Brushing your skin when it’s dry is the most important part. I’d always been scrubbing my skin in the shower with those scratchy, exfoliation gloves. This may be getting your skin clean but it just doesn’t have the same effect as brushing when your skin is dry. In fact, even after just three minutes of dry brushing, your skin will feel soft and as if it’s come alive.  You’ll be hooked!

Dry Brushing Benefits:

  • Accelerates toxin elimination
  • Stimulates blood flow and circulation
  • Aids in digestion
  • Reduces cellulite
  • Unplugs pores
  • Enhances lymphatic flow
  • Exfoliation and removal of dead skin cells
  • Anti-aging through cell regeneration
  • Polishes skin
  • Stimulating both the sweat and sebaceous glands

How to dry brush the skin:

  1. Brush your body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning. Use a skin brush, loofah or dry face cloth.
  2. Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
  3. Brush all the way up your legs, buttocks, and back. Then in a circular motion at your abdomen.
  4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas like breasts and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
  5. When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart.
  6. Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken.
  7. Finish by taking a shower and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
  8. Pat dry and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive or cocoa butter.

–Instructions via “The Whole Body Detox”

Other Ways to Encourage a Healthy Lymphatic System:

  • Drink plenty of clean, pure water (you can always use a filter).
  • Eat a diet rich in fresh, colorful vegetables; providing a full range of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.
  • Use dry saunas to promote enhanced detoxification via the skin, and stimulate lymphatic circulation.
  • Get regular exercise. Start at the level you are at; do something you enjoy.
  • Try contrast hydrotherapy. This can be done in the shower by alternating hot (3 min) & cold (30 sec) water in the shower, always ending on cold.
  • The power of touch: Lymph drainage massage, self breast massage and dry skin brushing.
  • Avoid exposure to chemicals, pollutants and toxic substances.

Undertake stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation and exercise to promote overall wellness.  Simple practices such as deep breathing via intentional breathing exercises such as, “Alternate Nostril Breathing”.

Need a more in-depth skin detox? Join us for a week at Mountain Trek, where you’ll enjoy a daily detox in our infrared sauna and indulge in hydrotherapy to boost circulation and draining of toxins.

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below: