Un-Gunking Gracefully: End-of-Summer Detox Reset for Energy, Clarity & Balance

By Lindsay O’Neill

School drop-offs, inbox alerts, reality—back on. But before you sprint, ask yourself: did you truly rest this summer? A smart detox isn’t punishment; it’s alignment. It’s about helping the liver, kidneys, lymph, skin, lungs, and brain do what they already do—better.

Juice Cleanses : The Good, the Bad, the Balanced

The Good: Cold-press juices rehydrate quickly and deliver vitamins and phytonutrients when cooking isn’t happening. Studies even show a 3-day protocol can improve microbiome balance and reduce oxidative stress.

The Bad: Without fiber, juice is basically sugar water—spiking blood sugar and stressing gut health. Three days of juice-only diets have been shown to disrupt the microbiome toward inflammation.

The Balance: Juice works best as a short-term hydration boost. Pair it with whole foods or alternate with smoothies.

Pull-Quote: “Juicing is hydration and nutrients—but without fiber, it’s just sugar, and sugar is a toxin.” Science Says: Juicing boosts hydration and micronutrients—but fiber matters. Without it, blood sugar spikes undo the benefits.

Sauna : Sweat with Soul

Far-infrared sauna use improves circulation, lowers stress, and supports cellular repair. Consistency is key: 15–30 minutes, 3–5 times weekly.

Try This:Relax Sauna — portable, 95% pure far-infrared, no off-gassing. Use code WECLUB for $100 off.

Pull-Quote: “Sweating is nature’s detox. Sauna makes it repeatable, safe, and effective.” Science Says: Finnish studies show regular sauna use lowers cardiovascular risk and boosts mood resilience.

Glutathione + Zeolite : The Detox Duo

Glutathione mobilizes toxins. Zeolite binds them so they actually leave. Together, they form the “mobilize + capture + remove” trifecta.

Best I’ve found: Zeolite Labs (use code WEZEOLITE for 10% off) + Synchronicity Health’s Glutathione Nasal Spray (use code WELLNESSETERNAL for 15% off).

Pull-Quote: “Mobilized toxins need a ride out—zeolite is the chauffeur.” Science Says: Without binders, toxins can recirculate—undoing your detox.

Food as Medicine : Your Culinary Compass

As a Harvard-certified culinary medicine chef and founder of Small Hinges, I know detox starts in the kitchen.

Eat More:
Colorful produce (5 servings/day lowers mortality 13%)
Crucifers (support liver enzymes)
Omega-3s (calm inflammation)
Fermented foods (boost gut diversity)
Grass-fed beef (Conjugated Linoleic Acid is linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer)

Remove:
Ultra-processed foods
Excess sugars + fried foods (seed oils)
Heavy saturated fats

Personalize: Discover your unique triggers with the Food Inflammation Test + Custom Meal Plan at Small Hinges.

Pull-Quote: “Add what heals. Remove what inflames. That’s food as medicine.” Science Says: Anti-inflammatory diets lower cytokine levels and extend healthspan.

Sleep : Your Non-Negotiable Detox

Deep sleep activates the glymphatic system—your brain’s cleaning crew. Poor sleep stalls detox, raising risks for brain fog and long-term disease.

Sleep expert Mollie Eastman advises: morning light exposure, cool/dark bedrooms, and screen-free evenings for better sleep cycles.

“You can’t out-supplement poor sleep.” Science Says: Just 30 extra minutes of restorative sleep measurably improves detox, immunity, and cognition.

Hydration : Hydrogen Upgrade

Hydration drives every detox pathway. Hydrogen-infused water goes further—acting as an antioxidant while boosting cellular recovery. My fave LumiVitae bottle is beautiful and adds frequency medicine to hydrogen water.

Pull-Quote: “Before adding hydrogen, filter first. Clean water is the foundation.” Science Says: Mild dehydration impairs energy and detox long before you feel thirsty.

Bigger Detox Tech : Luxe but Effective

PEMF beds: Tony Robbins reportedly uses PEMF daily for energy + recovery (Business Insider).

Red light therapy: Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it for skin + mitochondrial energy (L’Officiel).

Ballancer Pro: Jennifer Aniston uses it at home for lymphatic drainage (Independent).

Pull-Quote: “Celebrities embrace detox tech, but the basics remain the real stars.” Science Says: PEMF improves circulation, red light boosts ATP, lymphatic drainage accelerates toxin clearance.

Environmental Detox : Mold, Air & Water

Detox isn’t just food—it’s your environment.

• Test for hidden mold with GOT MOLD? (use code: WEMOLD10 for 10% off)
• Use high-quality air filters to reduce VOCs + particulates
• Purify water before hydrogenating—clean base water comes first

Pull-Quote: “Your body can’t detox if your home is toxic.” Science Says: Indoor air can be 2–5x more polluted than outdoor air. Mold toxins impair liver detox and immune strength.

It’s the Little Things

Sometimes detox is less about big tech and more about stacking simple rituals. Pairing Epsom salt baths (to draw out toxins) with dry brushing (to stimulate lymph) and even coconut oil pulling (an Ayurvedic classic for oral detox) creates an easy evening routine. The bonus? Built-in downtime that doubles as R&R.

Pull-Quote: “Small hinges swing big doors—you don’t have to change everything to change EVERYTHING.” Science Says: Daily habits like dry brushing and Epsom baths improve circulation, stimulate lymph flow, and reduce stress—supporting your detox pathways consistently.

The Commitment Rule : Don’t Detox, Then Retox

A reset only works if you commit. Remove alcohol, sugar, and fried foods for a set period—whether a week, month, or quarter.

Pull-Quote: “Consistency beats intensity—every time.” Science Says: Inflammation markers drop within 7–10 days of eliminating alcohol and processed foods.

Your End-of-Summer Reset Cheat Sheet

Element	Why It Works	How To Use It
Juice (cold-press)	Hydration + nutrients	Short-term; pair with fiber
Sauna (Relax Sauna)	Circulation, stress relief	15–30 min, 3–5x/week — WECLUB $100 off
Glutathione + Zeolite	Mobilize + bind toxins	Use together (add your links)
Food as Medicine	Anti-inflammatory nutrition	Add plants/omega-3s; test triggers
Sleep (quality)	Brain detox + hormone reset	Prioritize deep, consistent sleep
Hydrogen Water	Hydration + antioxidant	~Body weight (oz) daily
PEMF / Red Light / Ballancer	Advanced recovery tools	Luxe add-ons, not foundations
Environmental Detox	Reduce hidden toxin burden	Air, water, mold checks

Personally, I love dry brushing, Epsom baths, and hydrogen water. I layer sauna, lymphatic massage, red light, PEMF, glutathione + zeolite. But that’s my toolbox—and it’s a lot. For most, the magic is choosing one ritual you’ll enjoy, sticking with it, and avoiding the re-tox cycle.