Sweat It Out

Detoxify: remove toxic substances or qualities from

• Pricey detoxes have become somewhat of a trend.
• All-green juice cleanses, IV drip therapy, and even voluntary colonics are becoming more and more mainstream, but they can be pricey.  

• If only there was a way to keep your body cleansed, purified, and renewed without the high price tag…

I used to hate sweating. And don’t get me wrong – there are still several environments where sweating isn’t the ideal state of being,

But… when the opportunity is right, I’ve come to really enjoy sweating.

When your body is overloaded with toxins and chemicals (whether by means of a crazy Friday night or simply breathing the air of an overpopulated city), your liver and kidneys are designed to take care of you. Unfortunately, our current environment is wrought with toxins and chemicals: processed foods, polluted air, less-than-clean drinking water, not to mention the typical sedentary lifestyle and destructive ideas by the media.

All of these factors affect our body’s ability to stay “clean.” Our two largest detox organs (the liver and kidneys) can become overwhelmed by this constant onslaught of toxins, which means they need another line of defense.

Cue your skin.

The skin plays a vital role in eliminating toxins and assisting the kidneys in their work:

Three Reasons to Love Sweating

• Natural and Free Detox Method

As seemingly gross as it may be, the cold, hard truth is what it is: our sweat contains a variety of toxins. Instead of being repelled by this idea, recognize that this means those toxic chemicals are leaving your body. After a particularly sweaty workout, view that beautiful sheen of sweat as a gift from your body. It’s a sign that your organs are working to keep you clean and pure. However, there is something to keep in mind after a good sweat session. As much as we love our hip, athleisure workout *ahem* daily clothes, we have to strip free of those cute (but, wet) leggings before the skin re-absorbs all of the harmful toxins it just worked so hard to release.

• Fights Germs

So you’ve probably heard of your gut’s microbiome. Well you’re skin has one, too. It’s the combined microorganisms that all live and work together to keep your skin healthy. Just like your gut, it’s important for the microbiome to stay balanced and thriving. Luckily for the skin, our sweat contains antimicrobial agents that do just the job. These antimicrobial properties keep the bad bacteria at bay so you’re skin (our largest organ!) can stay healthy.

• Clears Pores

This may seem backwards, but bear with me: Sweating can lead to clearer skin. If you’re like me, you’re thinking “that goes against anything I’ve ever heard.” Well, be ready to change your mindset. When you sweat, our pores open up to excrete all of that liquid. When the pores are open like that, any residual dirt or toxins dislodges from the skin, leaving clean and unclogged pores. Steamy environments are great ways to experience this “facial sauna,” but remember to clean your face after sweating or all the grime that just left your skin will simply re-enter.

Before, I thought sweating was gross. It wasn’t the look or smell of sweat that bothered me – it was the feeling of being wet. It made me feel slightly out of control of my body, like “hello, who told you sweating was an appropriate response right now?”

But as I live in Houston, Texas, sweat is forever a part of my daily life so I learned to appreciate it. Now when it’s 100+ degrees outside, instead of finding opportunities to prevent sweating, I embrace it.

Why?
Because sweating provides me with a free detox. Goodbye expensive detoxifying methods, hello Houston in August.