10 Morning Routines that Detox Your Body Naturally

What we do in the morning sets the tone for the whole day. And if you’ve ever overslept, you know exactly how true this statement is. Mornings can be rough; it’s easy to rely on sugar and caffeine to energize you, which only wreaks havoc on your digestive system and exacerbates fluctuating energy levels and moods.

If you’ve ever wanted a do-over before 9 a.m., start your day right—and keep it on the right track—with these 10 simple ways to detox your body naturally each and every day.

Simple Morning Detox Habits

1. Get Up On Time

Are those nine extra minutes the snooze button gives you ever really worth it? Get out of bed when you first wake up and start your day already—especially since the two hours after we awake are potentially the most productive of our entire day [source].

Running late or feeling rushed in the morning only adds to anxiety and fatigue, and can cause us to turn to coffee and sugary snacks to get through the rest of the day. Side note: I’m a big fan of showering at night in order to avoid dawdling in the morning (at which I am a pro).

2. Drink Cleansing Lemon Water

Lemon Digestive Aid Water or Lemon Cleanse Water is a great way to stimulate digestion, jumpstart your digestive enzymes, and give your body a vitamin C boost. Citrus contains compounds called flavanones pass through the stomach and reach the colon, where they create an environment that is beneficial to good gut bacteria [source]. 

Try adding a teaspoon of raw, organic apple cider vinegar, which contains antioxidants [source] that have been shown to improve liver damage [source] for even more detoxing effects.

NOTE: If you feel nauseous or experience tightness in the chest after drinking the morning lemon elixir, omit the raw apple cider vinegar. Continue to drink the lemon elixir, omitting the ACV (or use only ½ teaspoon) for at least three days, and then reintroduce it. If the discomfort continues upon reintroduction, continue to drink only the lemon water.

3. Dry-Brush Your Skin

Dry skin brushing improves lymphatic drainage, promotes circulation, thus supporting detoxification [source]. By exfoliating, it also helps the skin directly. You can purchase a skin brush or simply use a dry towel.

Gently brush in a circular motion, always moving from the extremities towards the heart, thereby improving blood flow to the heart. Use counter-clockwise strokes on your belly to improve detoxification.

4. Scrape Your Tongue

By tongue scraping every morning, you remove bacteria that can lead to poor oral health [source]. Brush your teeth before you tongue-scrape. Then use a tongue scraper or a spoon to reach as far back as possible and pull forward, scraping off the white film, which is made from organisms such as Candida (yeast) and Streptococcus mutans (mouth bacteria).

5. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling has been a common oral detoxification practice for centuries [source] and can be done with coconut, sesame, or olive oil. It should be done on an empty stomach to ensure maximum benefit. The best times are upon rising and before bed.

6. Detox Your Products

Detoxing isn’t only about what you eat and drink; it’s also the products you put on your skin. Make sure you’re using personal care products and makeup that are free from harmful ingredients.

Heck, you can even make your own dry shampoo. Here are 7 natural and homemade makeup switches to add to your list as well.

7. Get Moving

Whether it’s walking the dog, a bike ride to work, stretches at your desk, or a quick yoga session, commit to getting your heart rate up and your body going in the morning. Regular exercise gets the blood moving and is essential for a healthy metabolism.

8. Take a Probiotic

Probiotics (healthy bacteria) regulate and restore your intestines’ natural balance, and studies have shown they can help rid the body of heavy metals [source], free radicals [source], and dangerous bacteria.

Make sure to take any other supplements before you head out for the day, too. Just don’t do so on an empty stomach, which leads us to…

9. Eat the Right Breakfast

Skipping breakfast affects not only your focus [source], but a recent study shows it also impacts your likelihood of achieving the best nutrient intake for the day [source]. It’s important to get fiber, protein, and healthy fats early in the day, versus simple carbs and refined sugar, like when you give in to relying on breakroom or coffee-shop snacks.

Protein-packed, unflavored Greek yogurt is a good choice if you want to get your probiotics and breakfast in one fell swoop. Just mix it with your favorite fresh berries, nuts, or whole-grain granola, so you can start early working toward your recommended amount of fiber and fruits for the day. 

My naturopath encourages me to eat a small amount of eggs, veggies, or even dinner leftovers in the morning. (Garlic breath be damned—who says you can’t have chicken and start on your 5 daily servings of veggies with a Caesar salad for breakfast?)

A smoothie with avocado or a make-ahead breakfast burrito are good options. Here are more healthy, make-ahead breakfast recipes if you need inspiration.

10. Drink Green Tea

We know, giving up coffee is rough. Like, extremely rough. But at least try to make the switch, even if it’s a couple days a week.

You’ll be getting beauty-boosting antioxidants and a metabolism kick-start, and there’s still caffeine in it. If you’re an iced tea fan, try a Green Tea Energy Drink with chia seeds that provide fiber and omega-3s.

What are your tips to detox your morning routine?

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon, M.D., a university-trained obstetrician/gynecologist with 19 years of clinical experience. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.