Anything that supports your elimination processes can help you detoxify. Just drinking an extra few glasses of water a day, eating more fruit and veg, replacing wheat, animal and dairy foods, alcohol, coffee, tea and sugar with healthier alternatives and making time to relax - even just for a couple of days - can make a huge difference. But you will benefit more if you make these healthy habits a regular part of your life.

1 BODY BRUSH Before your shower, brush your skin to help rid your body of toxins by unblocking the pores and stimulating your lymphatic system that carries waste from the cells. Use long, sweeping strokes and brush towards your heart. Start at your feet and work your way over your body - legs, bottom, back, hands, arms, shoulders, chest, nape of neck, always brushing towards the heart. Brush your abdomen using a gentle circular, clockwise movement.

2 SUPPLEMENT IT Certain supplements can aid the detoxification process. Try: Cynara (artichoke) What it does: Helps stimulate the gall bladder and liver to aid digestion. Helps lower blood pressure and helps rid the body of cholesterol. Helps ease aches and pains. Dandelion. What it does: A rich source of carotene, potassium, vitamin C and iron, it has diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Helps reduce fluid retention and eases aches and pains. Sylybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) What it does: Helps protect the liver from toxins, stimulates regrowth of liver cells, stimulates gall bladder and helps digestion of fatty foods. Linum usitatissiumum (Flax) What it does: A great laxative and digestive cleanser. A rich source of essential fatty acids, which can help lower cholesterol levels.

3 DRINK UP Drinking plenty of water will get any lurking toxins moving. At least eight glasses a day help guard against bloating and constipation as well as encouraging clear skin. Go for mineral water or filtered tap water or warm water with a slice of lemon. Avoid caffeine if possible and drink herbal tea instead. Good choices include dandelion, cinnamon and ginger. Use one teaspoon of dried herbs per cup of boiling water or three teaspoons of fresh herbs. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, strain and drink.

4 GET MOVING Your body's natural cleansing and eliminating systems work more efficiently when you exercise and you also burn more body fat - the first storage place for toxins. You will also start to feel better and have more energy, as exercise encourages the release of endorphins, the body's own feel-good hormones. To gain maximum benefit go for aerobic exercise - anything that raises your heartbeat qualifies. Brisk walking, fast lane swimming, jogging, cycling and energetic dancing are all good choices. You should also try to include some type of resistance or strength training to tone muscles including lifting weights, wall pushes, press ups or running up stairs. You should aim for around 30 minutes of exercise every day. It can be done in one hit or in 10- to 15- minute chunks through the day.

5 BATHE IT AWAY Baths are not just about washing - the heat of the water boosts circulation, which brings toxins to the skin's surface from where they can be expelled through the pores. Baths also promote deep relaxation. And you don't have to look far for ingredients to make your bath even more special. Fresh or dried herbs, as well as essential oils are all you need to turn bath time into a healthy, beautifying experience. Steep herbs in hot water, strain and add the liquid to your bath. Camomile, lavender, lime flowers, lemon balm or rosemary are all good choices. For a wonderfully cleansing soak, sprinkle 5-8 drops of your favourite essential oil into a warm bath and lie back and relax, breathing in the aroma. Good detox oils include ginger, cedarwood, camomile rose and juniper.

6 EAT WELL On a typical detox day aim to eat a variety of the following: Red and yellow peppers, cucumber, broccoli florets, celery, carrots and cabbage chopped into cridities or lightly steamed with fresh herbs. Mixed salad including lettuce, tomato, watercress, onion, garlic and beetroot. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with herbs. Apples and grapes which help to cleanse the skin, liver, intestines and kidneys, kiwis, mango, strawberries and pears.

7 BREATHE EASY Try the following breathing exercise whenever you have a spare moment. It will help to clear the toxins from your lungs and stress from your mind. Place your hands on your stomach to help you to focus on each deep breath. Sit quietly and concentrate on your chest rising and falling, feeling each breath as it goes in and out. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, counting to four on each breath.

8 MASSAGE Nothing boosts the circulation better than a pampering neck and face massage. As well as being deeply relaxing it is great for bringing life to tired skin. Choose a massage oil and use 15 drops to 50 ml of a carrier oil like Sweet Almond. Warm the diluted oil in your hands, rub your hands together briskly, then press your fingertips into your face quite firmly. Circle both hands upwards, out and down over your face with firm pressure. Lightly tap your face with your finger tips - around your brows, underneath your eyes, along your cheekbones and around your mouth.

9 CLEAR YOUR MIND A detox is not just about your body, it's also about giving your mind a rest. Feeling stressed and anxious for example can be just as disruptive to the natural healing process as any toxin. Try the following to clear away every day stresses and strains. Choose a word to focus on with a peaceful connotation such as peace or love. Sit quietly, close your eyes and relax your muscles. Breathe slowly and deeply. As you breathe out, repeat your focus word silently. Try to be passive. Dismiss any other thoughts that come into your head and concentrate on your focus word. After about 20 minutes, let your thoughts return, remain still for a minute, then slowly get up.

10 JUICE IT Include fresh juices in your detox days. You can use almost any raw fruit and vegetable - their rich nutrient content gives the immune system a wonderful boost. Have fun experimenting with different combinations. Go for orange, lemon and grapefruit; apples and parsnip or banana, orange and strawberries. Homemade juice is very concentrated so stick to three glasses a day to start off with. You can increase this to six as you get used to it. For further details about Detox and losing weight without dieting read the Real Life Diet, by Maryon Stewart.