Do you experience cold feet or cold hands during your detox? Let’s dive right into the meaning behind and learn what really happens in the body and what you can do if this happens whilst you’re detoxing.
What is actually happening when we feel cold during detox
1. Energy is redirected inward
During detox, the body shifts energy away from outward functions like heat production and digestion towards repair, cleanup, and elimination. With less energy directed to the skin and extremities, we can feel cold.
2. Reduced metabolic stimulation
When we remove stimulating foods such as heavy proteins, fats, salt, caffeine, processed foods, the body is no longer artificially “revved up.” As metabolism recalibrates, heat production can temporarily decrease.
3. Blood flow shifts to detox organs
The liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and gut require more blood flow during detox. That means less circulation to the hands, feet, and skin, which amplifies the cold sensation.
4. Fuel and glycogen transitions
As the body transitions to cleaner fuel sources, there can be a temporary dip in readily available energy — which also affects body warmth.
Nervous system regulation
As the nervous system moves out of chronic fight-or-flight and into a parasympathetic (rest-and-repair) state, heat production often decreases. Calm bodies are not always warm bodies — especially early in detox.
Lymphatic activation
Detox stimulates lymphatic movement. Until lymph flow improves and elimination pathways open more fully, the body may feel chilled, sluggish, or heavy.
What the cold feeling is really telling us
Feeling cold during detox does not automatically mean something is wrong — but persistent or uncomfortable cold is feedback.
It often means the body is conserving energy, prioritizing repair and could be asking for more safety and grounding.
Supporting detox with warm beverages in the evening
Instead of suffering through the cold, adding simple grounding drinks in the evening can be incredibly supportive because they can warm the body, calm the nervous system, support deeper sleep and make detox sustainable.
Vegetable broths and herbal teas in the evening calm the detox response so the body can function more efficiently. When the body feels safe, detox actually becomes more effective, not less.
The next morning, we naturally wake up and move right back into green juices, coconut water and deeper detox again. This creates a rhythm the body can trust — detoxing during the day, grounding in the evening, and detoxing again the next day.
Detox isn’t meant to be a 24-hour stressor but rather a rhythm, allowing the body time to process what’s been released. And it isn’t just about releasing stored waste — the body also has to process, neutralize, and eliminate what’s been mobilized during the day through the lymphatic system, kidneys, liver, and bowels.
Evening grounding gives the body time and energy to process what’s been released, instead of being overstimulated or depleted. This often leads to better sleep, steadier elimination, and a smoother, stronger return to detox the next day.
Detox symptoms are a temporary state. As the body cleans, repairs, and stabilizes, warmth and energy typically return — often stronger than before.
And remember! Detox works best when it’s led by listening, not willpower.
Listening to your body and adjusting isn’t failure. It’s wisdom.
