We think Ocsober is the perfect time to give it a go!
Here are some tips that might help you get started – who knows, you may even keep some of the ideas going for the rest of the year! Please remember that before you radically modify your diet or medications – always consult your medical professional. Good luck.

create a detox shopping list
- Set aside the old pantry and stock the new (shop now when you are not deprived).
- Stock up on fruits, veggies, soups, grains etc

clear your social calendar
- Detoxing is a good time to tone down your social engagements to enjoy some quiet time for reflection.

prepare yourself mentally and emotionally
- The process of detoxing starts in the mind and requires self-discipline. Recognise that you will experience some symptoms - be happy that you're having them.

sign up as a participant in Ocsober
- Ocsober is the perfect way to give up alcohol for the month of October – and raise money for Life Education Australia.
early to bed, early to rise
- There's nothing better than establishing a good sleep pattern - go to bed early and rise with the sun.

tongue scraping
- When we are sleeping, toxins from the body accumulate on the top of our tongues. Get a tongue scraper or your tooth-brush each morning. Sounds gross, but is effective in preventing these toxins re-entering your system.

warm water liver cleanse
- Make your first morning drink a warm glass of water with a squeeze of half a lemon or lime. This gets your digestive juices going.

self-massage
- Massage using exfoliating gloves to exfoliate the skin and clear away impurities. Massaging your body with sesame oil is also beneficial during a detox.

make meal time sacred
- During a detox you really gain an appreciation for how lucky we are to always have good food available. Focusing on your food and chewing more than usual helps aid digestion.

slowly slowly
- It is very important to slowly ease the body into and out of any detox program. Reintegrate foods slowly back into your life. Be aware how your body reacts to different foods when you do.

have quiet time
- Detoxing can 'bring a lot of stuff up' not just toxins, but old memories, unresolved experiences and unpleasant emotions. So give yourself some space, buy a book or start a journal.

naturopathy
- Get help from experts. Book in for a private consultation with a naturopath for guidance about your plans for your detox and medical conditions you have. Have them monitor your progress and return if you want to make the changes sustainable. An unsupervised detox experience is not only lonely - it can also be dangerous.

daily exercise
- Do 45+ minutes of exercise each day. Yoga, Pilates, swimming or brisk walking is ideal.

find a mate
- Partner up with someone. You may need each other's support if you are feeling low in energy, particularly in the first few days. Share recipes, experiences and support each other. Have them sign up as a participant in Ocsober.

enjoy the journey and above all - don't overdo it
- Detoxing can be a bumpy ride, with highs and lows - but the destination is worth getting to. So stick to it, especially at those inevitable times when you feel like giving up!
- Above all, find a balanced, achievable program that combines daily exercise and changes to a healthy diet, with regular, qualified supervision. Remember you are trying to set up healthy habits - not further stress your body with rapid, extreme and unsustainable change.