Spring Clean Your Health and Seasonal Eating

It's that time of year once more when we emerge from our winter sleep and enter the incredible warmth of the already-blooming spring. Naturally, we want to declutter our homes and wardrobes as well as feel good about ourselves.

So how could we detox naturally without feeling compelled to follow a water fast, extreme juice cleanse, or eat only bland foods?

Beyond the food we eat, there are many more ways we may assist the daily detoxification processes that take place in our bodies. For my best advice on "spring cleaning" our bodies before we all enter another holiday season, continue reading…

Skin: Our skin, one of the body's largest organs, plays a crucial role in expelling toxins through processes like sweating, acne production, and pore opening, while also regulating body temperature. Regular physical activity aids in detoxification by promoting sweating, an accessible and cost-effective method. Sauna therapy, particularly infra-red saunas or steam rooms, can expedite this process, making it a valuable option for those unable to exercise. However, it's vital to stay hydrated with filtered water, as excessive sweating should not lead to dehydration, which could hinder internal organ detoxification (aim for 2L daily).

Steam & Infrared Sauna Therapy

Traditional form of heat therapy to stimulate sweating and detoxification through increasing blood circulation as well as expelling toxins through sweat.

Lungs: Quite similarly to sweating through exercise, it also helps to get our lungs working harder and breathing deeper. This helps to circulate the energy within the lungs and get the filtering process of used oxygenated blood (now CO2) out of the body through the breath. This is why we tend to get bad odour breath in the morning. Overnight, our bodies work to clean out the toxins which get delivered through the blood and back to the lungs to be expelled through the breath! Breathwork is becoming a more popular exercise that could be incorporated into our daily routines for only 10 minutes per day. This works on the same principle = deep breathing and moving the stagnant ‘air’ in the bottom of our lungs to awaken and refresh these parts of the body. The results can expand through to clearer thinking, calmer emotions, feeling more awake and alert, and can also help with bloating as we breathe deep into the belly.

Diet/The Gut: This is the big one. We are what we eat because what we put in is what we get out for energy production and health status. When we want to detox the body, we are thinking about the liver; this is where it all happens. So we need to use foods that help support the liver to help further detoxify our blood and bodies. One important nutrient that helps support liver functioning is glutathione. This is a particular antioxidant that helps in the natural detoxification processes of the liver and supports the functioning of the liver and general health. If you think you may benefit from supplementation, reach out to myself or your nutritionist/naturopath or other health practitioner for advice.

These foods look like ginger, turmeric, beetroot, dark leafy greens, cauliflower, whole grains, nuts, and seeds… these foods contain important antioxidants, vitamins, healthy fats, and so much more

Environmental Toxins: Addressing environmental toxins is a significant challenge in today's society, especially for city dwellers. Pollution from industries, factories, and cars affects the air we breathe. While we can't entirely avoid these pollutants, we can take steps to support the detoxification of them. Begin by controlling what we can: limit exposure to harmful chemicals in cosmetics, perfumes, food additives, and household cleaning products. Substitute them with natural alternatives like essential oil-based perfumes, clean shampoos, conditioners, and skincare products, as well as natural cleaners like vinegar and a few drops of eucalyptus oil for surfaces and floors. These changes may seem substantial, but starting with one can make transitioning to less harmful chemicals a manageable process, reducing daily exposure.

Stress and Sleep: Lastly these two are just as crucial for detoxification. Adequate sleep allows the body to cleanse, rejuvenate, and prepare for the day ahead. Consistent 7-8 hours of sleep benefits long-term health. Stress exacerbates inflammation and disrupts sleep, impacting detox and well-being. Establish calming bedtime rituals, reduce stimulating factors like bright lights, and incorporate activities like meditation, yoga, and self-care for lower stress levels. Prioritizing sleep and managing stress support overall detox and health.

Sleep Goals

• 7-8 hours per night

• Preferably in bed before 10pm to stick to a quality sleep circadian rhythm

• Shut off blue lights 1-2 hours before bed

• Try to have the last meal 1-2 hours before you hit the sheets

In conclusion, we can take on extreme detox diets and cut everything out for a few days only to fall back into old habits. But if we incorporate some of these longer-term and more sustainable ways of promoting our natural detox processes in the body, we will hopefully not feel the need to take on these radical diets and programs to feel better in ourselves physically and mentally.

If you have any questions, get in touch, and we can explore these ‘wellness’ trends together for better health.

- Fuelled Naturally By Lans