No matter how healthy we are — even if we take every step to avoid non-organic foods, GMOs, plastics, and artificial ingredients — chemical exposure is a part of life. But how we handle that exposure to chemicals can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the best ways to detox after chemical exposure to combat these issues.
The truth is we’re all exposed to chemicals every day. No matter how many organic tomatoes we buy or plastic bottles we ignore, we can’t avoid chemicals. And to some degree, the body’s immune system can handle these chemicals on its own.
Still, chemical exposure is scary, particularly since we can’t often measure how much we inhaled or absorbed into our bodies. But we can protect ourselves by following these tips that help deal with acute chemical exposure.
Sign up for the newsletter to learn more safe detox tips and tricks.
1. Drink lots of water
Like, lots. Water flushes out the system, and as the body is processing new information (ie, Drano fumes), you can decrease the stay of chemicals by washing them out the ol’ drain.
2. Take a walk in nature
Your lungs will pump fresh oxygen in and toxic chemicals out if you give them a good workout. Do this where there are lots of lush green trees and plants growing and giving off yummy, clean oxygen. Taking a 1–2 hour hike after a chemical inhalation can help your lungs process out those fumes.
3. Drink greens
Leafy greens are detoxifiers and are an excellent tool in moving chemicals out of the body. If you don’t have a juicer at home, get on over to a juice bar for a large green juice (and a wheatgrass shot) to help push those toxins out.
4. Take vitamin C
Just like it works to protect your body from the ravages of a cold or flu and speed healing, vitamin C can help push those toxins out and protect your body from the harmful effects of chemical exposure. You can’t really overdose on vitamin C, so take 500-1000 mg every hour, like you would if you had the flu. Give it a go for a day or two at least.
5. Sweat
Whether it’s a yoga class, turning that hike into a run, or hitting the sauna or steam room, sweating is one of the body’s best ways of processing out chemicals.
6. Think happy thoughts
This may be hard to do when you feel like you’ve just inhaled a cancer-causing load of oven cleaner or bleach, but it helps. We can’t undo it. But we can change how we receive the situation, and it may sound woo-woo, but loving those chemicals as they enter—and soon LEAVE—your body can be a helpful tool in your recovery.
[Note: If you’ve experienced a significant brush with chemicals and are showing extreme reactions such as fever, vomiting, or fainting, seek immediate medical attention.]
Read More on Organic Authority
The 6-Step Cleanse for an Emotional Detox
What’s The Best Full Body Detox? A Holistic Waterfall Cleanse
Top 7 Detox Face Masks That Actually Work
