Still feeling the effects of the festive season? Have you broken your New Year’s resolutions? Do you need a lifestyle overhaul? If you answered yes to any of the above, a detox is just the thing to get your back on track. But what exactly is a detox, and do they really work?

Kimberly Ashton, a health coach and nutrition consultant at Integrative Nutrition, explains, “Detoxifying is a process of cleansing and clearing the body of toxins, and often involves eating raw food, drinking freshly made juices or fasting. Other sorts of detoxes include mental, emotional and spiritual overhauls, but the most common is the food and drink detox.”

Shanghai is well known for its less than healthy lifestyle. Cheap food, cheap booze and cheap cigarettes make it easy to party hard at the expense of your health. Months and years of indulgence can lead to weight gain, malaise and even serious illness. “For people who drink too much alcohol and don’t eat well, a detox will clear the liver, kidneys and digestive system and freshen the skin,” says Ashton. “Many people also lose weight in the short term due to the change in diet, since a detox diet often includes fruit, vegetables and plenty of water.”

However, there are dangers associated with detoxifying. If you go from smoking, drinking and eating badly to consuming almost nothing but water, juice, wheatgrass shots and vegetables, your body will go into shock. It’s better to improve your overall health so a detox isn’t necessary. Easier said than done, you might think, but overhauling your lifestyle isn’t as difficult as it sounds.

Ashton stresses water, reduced caffeine consumption and eating fruits and vegetables every single day. Your local wet market has loads or, if you prefer organic, City Shop and Fields both deliver. Stick to whole grains, and forego your daily street bing, which is equal calorically to donut. Do exercise that you actually enjoy. Cycling, yoga and pilates or going to the gym can be social activities or a chance to clear your head. Smoking is a big no-no, of course, and lay off the sauce for a while to give your liver a break.

Detoxifying the Chinese way is another option. TCM treatments like cupping, acupuncture and moxibustion have been practiced for their detoxifying properties for thousands of years.

Ashton believes that a healthy, toxin-free life is all about equilibrium. “Life is about balance,” she says, “and your body will thank you for that.”