Everyone loves going on vacations, aside from the work-free hours, we get extra sleep and indulge in gastric cravings, especially when it is a new place and you are keen on trying out local meals. While on the road, we indulge in so much food that our bodies literally begs for a cleanse.

A detox is essential to the body as it eliminates accumulated fats and toxins from the body, giving the liver and other organs a boost in performing essential body functions. Contrary to general belief though, you do not have to starve yourself on an extreme liquid diet to detox. Upping your water consumption, exercising and giving up carbs and dairy products for a week are some of the things you can do.

Jovago.com, Africa’s no.1 online hotel booking site keeps things simple by suggesting 5 ways you can detox while on vacation. Try them, and your body will feel less sluggish in no time.



Hydrate

It is important to drink a lot of water all through your vacation, especially if you are intent on following through with a detox. Sufficient hydration is a major step to flushing out the toxins in your body after a binge as it is essential for cleaning the liver and kidneys. Start your day with at least 16 ounces of water, preferably warm, and focus on consuming more all day long. Drinking water also helps to promote better digestion and, somewhat counter intuitively, to shed water weight. If you can, go for bottled mineral water which is rich in calcium, magnesium and low in sodium.



Exercise

Most people will frown at exercising while on vacation, but its one of the easiest ways to detox. Not only does exercise make you feel better, but it is a simple way to help your body in its natural metabolism process. A jolt of blood and muscle flow can be instrumental in helping you eliminate unwanted chemicals. It does not have to be a hardcore routine, just settle for a favorite form of exercise and devote at least 45 minutes to it. It could be as simple as running on the treadmill or using the elliptical. Just make sure you feel the sweat and have your heart beating by the time you are done.



Restrict yourself to small portions

While on vacation, there is always the temptation to eat in large quantities, this is neither good for you nor your body. You do not have to miss out on all the food fun rather all you need to do is cut down on your portions and eat several small, nutritious meals throughout the day to get your metabolism firm on track. Focus on foods packed with nutrition such as fruits, veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats that will help restore vitamins and minerals. You can even eat at least six times a day, as long the portions are small.

Eat natural

This does not mean you should become a vegetarian. It simply entails finding ways to help you eat natural foods during the meal time. Vegetables are a great choice as they do not just boost your immune system, but also improve your digestive system as they contain chlorophyll which is an extremely powerful agent of detoxification. Watch out for pesticide-laden foods, and food with too many preservatives as those can have a counter-productive effect.