How to detox safely when you have bipolar
If you’re anything like me, you might have gorged a bit on comfort food this winter. And when I say a bit, I mean you might be feeling like a pufferfish. Hooked up to a bicycle pump ready to explode!
It’s tempting after an indulgent season to go on a crash “cleanse”. I found myself feeling the itch yesterday, when a facebook friend posted how she was riding high on day 4 of a fast. I found myself craving to start one myself.
And, after 17 years with bipolar, I’ve learned that I’d better not!
Any sort of fast or rapid “cleanse”, be it via juice, cayenne lemon water, cabbage soup, etc can be deadly for us. Especially during the spring and summer, when we’re already at greater risk for (hypo)mania. Eating too little, just like not getting enough sleep, exacerbates our (hypo)manic symptoms. And makes more likely that we’ll spin out of control.
So does this mean we have to choose between being bloated or manic? No way! We bipolar beings can detox safely. And not just can—we should! Especially if our body is screaming at us with many of the following…
Signs your body might need a detox–
Digestion woes like diarrhea, bloating, gas and constipation
Frequent headaches
Bad breath and body odor
Acne
Skin conditions like eczema or rashes
Your intuition is telling you it’s time to let s*** go!
Ok wow clearly I need a detox. Now how do I do it without getting manic?
The formula for a safe bipolar detox is…
REDUCE (or ideally eliminate) toxic things in your life
Then
2. REPLACE them with nourishing alternatives
Food:
Let’s start with food. If you take one thing away from this post–don’t starve your bipolar self!!! Instead, (1) reduce your consumption of processed foods and sugar. And replace them with hearty foods made with whole ingredients.
But how do I do this? Lunch might look like swapping out a big mac for a bowl of brown rice, chickpeas, roasted veggies. Snack attacked? Try replacing your Cheetos with cut veggies and hummus. Got a sweet tooth? No problem! Trade out your twinkies for treats made with dates, cacao, or coconut.
But wait Jenny–aren’t I supposed to eat kale? Sure! Raw fruits and veggies, especially green ones, are all great for cleansing. So are probiotic foods like plant based yogurt, kombucha and sauerkraut.
Absolutely ADD all these detoxifying jewels foods to your diet. For example, have some oranges before breakfast. Or top your Thai curry with chopped cilantro. But once again—don’t ONLY eat raw foods—please!
Same concept with our beverages.. We want to reduce/eliminate alcohol, sodas, and other sugary drinks. And replace them with nourishing alternatives. For example, instead of ordering a gin and tonic, you could choose sparkling water with lemon and mint. In lieu of winding down with cabernet you could brew a mug of chamomile tea. And spoon in some raw honey. Followed by a calming walk around the block, ommmmmm.
And if all is sounding more AGHHH than OMM, take some deep breaths. It’s impossible to do anything “perfectly” and a detox is no exception. Perfectly imperfect is the goal here. Meaning do your best to eat nourishing foods. . And if you end up devouring a slice of red velvet cake at a bday party, it’s all good! Give yourself a big hug! And resume your healthy practices when you can.
On that note, perhaps the most the important component of a bipolar detox is detoxing our mind. To stop hurling insults at ourselves like “I’m a failure.” And replace these lies with affirmations like “ I love my perfectly imperfect self. Bonus– the kinder we are with ourselves, the less likely we are to need to numb ourselves with toxic substances! Vicious cycle averted!
One more way to detox safely is by changing our skincare routine. The adage goes: if wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin. And if you’re anything like I used to be, your bathroom is stuffed with creams and gels you definitely wouldn’t eat! I invite you to slowly start replacing these with natural alternatives. Check out your local natural foods store and you’re find a plethora of products that will be so much kinder on your skin.
Note: if you’re anything like me, realizing how many toxins are in your life might incite a (hypo)manic spree buying natural alternatives. Please don’t love!! The stress of going into debt is way more toxic than any snack or salve. So check in with your budget. And make as many of the above changes you can without breaking the bank.
Finally—I wish I didn’t have to say this, but please please please stay on your meds. Sadly, there are too many folks out there encouraging us to ditch them because they are “chemical” . Don’t listen to them! The small amount of “toxins” in our meds are vastly overcompensated by the benefits they provide to our mental health and stability!
Sending you so much love on your bipolar journey