Let’s start with the basics about what to expect day-by-day, like detox symptoms, exercise, cravings, etc. Our bodies are hardwired in their routines, so if you are accustomed to three meals a day, your body will notice if you skip one. Be gentle with yourself, but if you have the nagging urge to chew something simply because you’re used to three meals, remind yourself of your goals and why you decided to cleanse in the first place. Day 1 - Everyone’s experience with a juice cleanse is different, and detox symptoms can vary based on how toxic our bodies are to begin with and how quickly our bodies release these toxins. Generally, the first day of a juice cleanse is relatively easy, at least for the first few hours. If you’re used to a hearty breakfast, you may feel a bit sluggish, but this feeling should subside after your first juice. Those who are avid caffeine drinkers usually experience the worst symptoms, including headaches, sluggishness and irritability, as the body is not used to functioning without that daily dose. We usually recommend cleansers wean off of caffeine in the days leading up to a cleanse, to make their experience easier. While we do recommend staying active during a cleanse, you may notice your energy levels drop, particularly in the evening of the first day. At this point, you have gone through the entire day consuming less calories than your body is accustomed to. If you usually hit the gym after work in the evenings, opt for a light walk instead, or try a gentle hatha yoga class. Stretching and moving your muscles can help your body detox, but be careful not to overdo it. Day 2 - After making it through the first day of your cleanse, you should feel accomplished, proud, and maybe a bit lighter. However, be prepared, because day two can sometimes be the most difficult day for cleansers. While you can expect to wake up feeling lighter, and most likely not craving a meal since your digestive system is no longer working hard to break down meals from the previous day, caffeine withdrawal may cause intense headaches and sluggishness on day two. If your body was particularly in need of a detox before your cleanse, you may experience excessive sweating, tiredness, irritability or anxiousness. It’s important to understand these potential detox side effects before starting your cleanse, so you can be better prepared to handle them when they arise. If you do experience some uncomfortable symptoms, be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush toxins faster. Day two is a great time to treat yourself to a meditation class or sauna session. If you become extremely hungry during the day and have already consumed your scheduled juice and plenty of water, you can have healthy snacks or a light meal...Day two is a great day to head to bed early and get plenty of rest. Your body is working hard to cleanse itself at this point, and you’ll need extra sleep to recuperate. Day 3 - is usually the easiest, and most enjoyable day of a juice cleanse. Cleansers usually report feeling weightless, energized, and full of life. Your digestive system is fully rested and you will no longer experience intense hunger pangs or negative symptoms you may have battled with in the previous days. The last day of a cleanse is a great day for a massage, meditation session, or other activity that will help connect you with your body. Be mindful of your energy levels though, because you may still experience ebbs and flows on your final day. Continue to combat this with plenty of water, as you can still become dehydrated even during a cleanse. You may be dreaming of all the foods you’ll eat once your cleanse is over, but remind yourself that, as important as following a cleanse protocol is, it is even more important to come off of a cleanse properly. The third day of a juice cleanse is a great day to head to the grocery store to stock up on healthy, raw, whole foods that you’ll eat to break your cleanse. Make a light vegetable soup and stock your fridge with plenty of fruits and veggies for the days following your cleanse. If you revert to eating unhealthy, fatty foods immediately after your cleanse, you could face a serious stomach ache and uncomfortable digestive issues. The third day is an important day to ditch the “all or nothing” mindset. If you’ve slipped up in the previous days, don’t throw in the towel before your juice cleanse is complete. Make sure to finish all of your juices each day, and be gentle with yourself, no matter how you may feel about the way you handled your cleanse. The important thing to remember is that you are taking a huge step to take control of your health, and every little bit counts.