Do you ever get that insatiable spring feeling to deep clean your house in ways you hadn’t considered before? It’s a hallmark of the turning of spring. The other night when I should have been settling down to bed, I opened the fridge to put away my freshly made salad for next day’s lunch only to find myself digging to the back of the fridge and cleaning the whole thing out. Beyond the warming weather outside, THAT was the sure way I knew that spring was springing.
Our bodies follow a natural rhythm that is in connection to the seasons and the environment around us. Since our physical bodies are not separate from our hearts, minds and souls, we feel and find ourselves inclined in ways that are very much in harmony with the shifting and changing of the world around us. That’s why spring is one of the best times for cleaning. Si
nce the outside environment is cleaning itself – the melting of the snow starts, the dust begins to rise, the new buds pop out from under matted and dormant grasses – we also feel the urge to clean ourselves and our surroundings.
Cleansing in the spring doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, like most things in life, it can be most effectual if kept simple. Here’s a sample protocol of a cleanse I like to follow in spring and fall:
– Keep the diet clean and simple for a period of about two weeks in early to mid-March: eliminate caffeine, alcohol, dairy, sugar, wheat, processed and refined foods. Stick to simple and clean ingredients like fresh fruits and vegetables, clean protein, healthy fats and oils and grains like quinoa, millet, brown and wild rices, amaranth and oats. If you were to eat one thing most abundantly during this protocol, focus on green vegetables that stimulate the liver and galbladder, improve digestive function and lend a wealth of antioxidants.
– Drink the juice of one half lemon in room temperature water as soon as you rise in the morning. This is alkalizing to the system, boosts the metabolism and stimulates digestion.
– If possible, spend 1-2 days consuming only freshly squeezed juices, broth, herbal teas and plenty of water. If you find this makes you feel too weak, you may also consume a protein shake.
– Use herbal remedies like dandelion, milk thistle, globe artichoke or black walnut to stimulate the liver, galbladder and digestive system while cleansing. These are all bitter herbs and super relevant during spring when the liver and galbladder naturally want to be cleansed and stimulated.
*If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, please verify with your healthcare practitioner before taking any of the above listed herbs.
– Before each bath or shower, implement dry skin brushing! Here’s how: get a back scrubbing brush or loofah – preferably with a long handle. Undress completely and gently brush the skin in long strokes towards the heart, paying special attention to the areas of the body where the lymphatic system is rich: the neck and throat region, the chest, armpits, abdomen and inner thighs.
– Soak in a warm bath with 1-2 cups of Epsom salts about 3 times per week for a minimum of 20 minutes. Epsom salts lend necessary minerals to the body and draw toxins out through the pores of the skin.
– Use the infrared sauna about 3 times per week to eliminate toxins via sweating.
– Explore body work such as Reflexology, massage, Thai Stem Massage and cupping to support the body in eliminating toxins and to impart relaxation – the body does its best healing when in a relaxed state.
– Always make sure to drink LOTS of water!
If you would like further guidance with your spring cleansing regime, please let us know. We delight in supporting you towards optimal wellness here at your urban sanctuary, Wellness on Whyte.