Many of us will typically feel the need to scale back on booze and sugar after the holiday season, but few of us actually follow through by committing to a cleanse. If you’re planning on going for it, we applaud you. This is no task for the unfocused. As you gear up for your cleanse, you might start to think it’s smarter to dial back your social activity in order to avoid landing yourself in situations where you’re extra tempted, but depriving yourself of fun could have the effect of amplifying feelings of “being without.” So don’t isolate yourself; socialize smart instead. Here are five pointers to help you get through your cleanse.
Adjust your mental state
If you’re changing your daily routine, you need to support yourself with the right mental tools. Namely, focus. Start your day by setting the intention to make your health one of your top priorities for the next however many days. What you put in your body during this time must be more important than pleasing people or “doing the right thing by social standards” in every situation. This is the reality if you really want to stick with any goal. Your friends, at the end of the day, won’t be offended if you order salad instead of pizza.
Do your research on restaurants
Make sure you have a few suitable restaurants in your area that have appealing, robust menus to satisfy all palettes in your back pocket for this time. If you want to cleanse and also continue seeing people in a more or less normal way day-to-day, even if it’s just to grab lunch with a co-worker, or dinner with a partner, you must ensure your own success. Do your research!
Think outside the box
There are so many non-edible ways to socialize and feel like you’re treating yourself without making food or booze a central focus. Invite friends to go for a pedicure or manicure (even if it’s a DIY thing), check out an artsy workshop in your area, go to a movie, a show or concert or a fitness class. Letting your friends know what you’re up to and you might be surprised to find out who’s doing the same – and looking for a partner in crime.
Use your cleanse as an opportunity to make new like-minded friends
Hitting reset on your physical health essentially means hitting rest on your mindset around health and well-being. Why not change your perspective of the way you socialize in addition? Use this opportunity to branch out and see what fun you can find that doesn’t involve drinking or eating. Scour meetups in your area. Check out a new fitness class you’ve been meaning to try, or attend a health lecture.
Don’t let yourself starve
Being hungry and feeling deprived is a recipe for becoming super vulnerable to temptations. Add a bunch of your best pals and a huge plate of nachos and your best intentions are as good as gone. Prevent this feeling and make your plan strong as stone. Look to bloggers like Oh She Glows and Summer Tomato for deliciously clean recipes — start with how to detox without starving yourself. Get equipped with the knowledge and the right fridge-stock to stay the course. Never let yourself be caught starving somewhere in the middle of the afternoon on a weekend. Keep a clean snack in your bag like a power bar or fruit.
Main image via @BrusselsVegan
