Top 10 Ways to “Spring Clean” & Detox Your Body

Can we do Spring Cleaning for our bodies and our lifestyle?!

Spring time brings a new season that is focused on growth and a fresh start. From the environment, to animals, to our bodies – it is a time that we get revived and renewed! Spring can be a great time to also shed toxins – and why it is common to do some “Spring Cleaning”.

Supporting detoxification in our body, through the liver, gut, lymph and skin, is a fantastic way to improve how you look, feel and function as a whole. When our detox pathways are “clogged up” it can show up as symptoms like digestive issues, fatigue, hormone imbalances & more.

If you are having trouble losing weight, feeling bloated all the time, trouble focusing, having consistent headaches or migraines – these can all be signs your body needs support.

Our physiology will affect our physique – meaning, what is going on internally will dictate how we look (and feel/function!)

One of our body’s most underappreciated organs is the LIVER. The liver has to process EVERYTHING your body intakes (consciously or not).

Liver Functions: Detoxification of your entire system including metabolites, protein synthesis, metabolism regulation, hormone regulation, & production of chemicals for digestion. It does SO much for our body & with today’s toxic environment (food, air etc) it is critical to support our liver’s natural processes.

However, we don’t need to undertake drastic measures to “cleanse” our systems. Our bodies have an amazing ability to detoxify themselves, and we can use common herbs to assist that natural cleansing process. When it comes to a (spring) detox, think in terms of gentle supportive tactics for cleansing, not deprivation and drastic measures.

Juices, teas, cleanses & detox kits…take this, drink that, and they market that you will get your dream bod like THAT. Uh uh…it unfortunately doesn’t work that way. And remember – Going on a detox is great, but healthy lifestyle changes are even better!

Top 10 Ways to Spring Clean your Body (and Lifestyle)

Before you get into taking action – let’s brainstorm first. Grab a sheet a paper (or ok, even Notes on your phone) and spend a few minutes jotting down ideas of where you want to get started.

Questions to ask yourself:

“What is currently NOT serving me and my health?”
What/where have I been wanting to make a change in?”
“What in my environment would I like to change (clutter, products etc)?”
“What mental and emotional stress do I need to let go of?”
“What habits do I need/want to start implementing (or improve consistency) with?”

Detoxing can mean improving your physiology – but from a holistic approach – it can also mean getting rid of toxic people, relationships, and environments. It can be creating less clutter, donating items, cleaning & organizing, creating more physical space. Your mental load and your environment (i.e. your house, workspace) are two areas we don’t address enough – but they have a huge impact on our health! Less clutter, less energy spent on crappy people – less stress – and a happier, healthier you!

Here are 10 simple ways to naturally spring clean and “detox” your body & mind, from the inside out.

Drink more water: Did you know that water makes up approximately 65% of our bodies? Adequate water intake is necessary for proper body functioning. It is a natural detoxifier for our bodies, as it helps replenish balance within our cells and to flush out toxins. Drinking more water will increase energy levels, improve digestion, circulation, and organ functioning. It also reduces bloating, improves skin tone, and increases mental clarity. Drink up!
Eat your veggies: Being healthy isn’t always about eating less…it is about fueling your body with the nutrients in the proper quantities. Vegetables contain high levels of micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) that are essential for overall well-being. They are also high in fiber and low in calories, which provide satiety and aids in proper digestion & energy balance. Try adding 1 cup of veggies to your dinner or have a colorful salad with lunch. Try incorporating 1 new vegetable a week to your meals.
Reduce your sugar intake: Highly processed foods containing white sugar, flour, trans fats and/or GMOs are highly inflammatory to our bodies, increase insulin & blood sugar levels, fatigue, and provide little nutrients! Other foods to consider would be dairy and vegetable oils. Aim to reduce and ultimately eliminate all these “foods”.
Get moving: Physical activity will improve circulation, energy levels, digestion & strength & endurance. The more you move the energy you gain! Sweating is a natural way of removing toxins from the body. Regular exercise also increases serotonin levels (aka the happy hormone) so you will be fitter AND happier!
SLEEP: Sleep and proper recovery is one of the most underrated factors when it comes to naturally balancing your hormones, improving energy, and detoxing. Sleep is when our body removes toxins, grows & restores energy & cellular balance. Prioritizing sleep is crucial to truly optimal health. Aim to get a consistent 7-8 hours a night. Set up a nightly routine that will help train your body to get ready for bed.

person pouring liquid into brown ceramic cup

Get R & R: With our non-stop busy lifestyles, rest and down-time is usually pushed on the back burner (if it even exists!) Unfortunately many people deal with chronic stress (physical, mental, environmental and emotional). High cortisol levels are linked to ALL major diseases and decreases your overall health! High cortisol levels have been shown to decrease hormone production, which regulates your metabolism, moods, digestion, etc. Reducing stress (and ultimately balancing your hormones) is critical for optimal wellness. Schedule time each day for you: it might include reading, meditation, prayer, or spending time with loved ones. Keep a gratitude journal or practice breathing techniques. Reduce or eliminate the stressors that you can control. Your Negative Nancy friend? Buh-bye! Find a new project or hobby that will keep you excited about. All these little things add up!
Invest in Quality Supplements: Even though the optimal way to nourish our bodies is through whole foods, we can’t always eat the “perfect” diet with all vitamins and nutrients. Some might just be starting out on your health journey and know that they aren’t eating all the veggies they should be (yet). Supplementation is a great way to fill the gaps between your diet. It ensures that you are intaking the proper nutrients that your body needs. Two to consider would be:
- Whole-Food Based Multi-Vitamin
  - Whole food based guarantees that is not synthesized (and with a methylated form of B9 folate), and it is easier for your body to absorb it.
- Omega 3 (with EPA & DHA)
  - Most common form is fish oil; 1000mg is the RDA for most adults. Look for labels that say “enteric coating” and “molecularly distilled” for better quality.
- Probiotics:
  - Your gut and digestive tract is full of organisms and bacteria. Probiotics are a type of “good” bacteria that you DO want in your GI tract, as it helps to fight off bad bacteria & foreign organisms. Adding in a probiotic supplement can dramatically improve your gut health, and can reduce IBS symptoms, bloating, etc.
Eat your SuperFoods: These fight against disease, aid the immune system, reduce toxins, and improve heart and brain health!
- Foods high in antioxidants & great for liver support:
  - Salmon
  - Tuna
  - Walnuts
  - Dark leafy greens (there are those veggies again!)
  - Berries
  - Tomatoes
  - Peppers
  - Carrots
  - Beets
  - Ginger
  - Turmeric
  - Garlic
  - Ginseng
  - Citrus: Lemon, limes
  - Green tea
  - Dandelion root
  - Broccoli/Alfalfa Sprouts
  - Cruciferous veggies
  - Beets
  - Apples
  - Celery
  - Cabbage/Sauerkraut (fermented veggies)
  - Avocado
  - Collagen & Bone Broth
  - Bitter greens: arugula, endive, mustard greens, chicory, etc)
Reduce the “hidden” toxins: Feel free to check out my articles on Non Toxic Living here.
Some stressors may include:
- Environmental toxins
  - Pollutants/Smog/Fumes
  - Household Cleaners
- Excessive caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco consumption
- Consistent use of OTC medications or antibiotics (like ibuprofen, excedrin etc)
Clear out the physical and mental clutter As described above, brainstorm different things your house and workspace (even your car) needs some TLC. Also consider if there are relationships, people, or any responsibilities that you start to let go of, to better your overall health.