Ah Springtime has arrived, as has the time for cleansing or detoxing. A lot of people ask me “What’s the point of cleansing? Doesn’t our liver take care of detoxing? Should I be doing a detox cleanse?” . With so many questions on this topic I hope to clarify some things up in this article.
What does it mean to cleanse?
First off, cleansing can mean different things to different people. In the past few years, green juices, fasting, and other detox miracle recipes have gained popularity with many. Many of these put emphasis on weight loss, and ridding the body of various toxins that can cause ailments. While some of this is true, it is important to note what cleansing does, how it affects the body, and which method is right for you.
The concept of cleansing comes from the idea that over winter, and the holidays, we tend to eat richer foods, perhaps not always the healthiest foods, and unless you happen to be an avid outdoor winter lover, we tend to spend more time inside, moving less. Which often leaves us with a bit of a sluggish feeling over time. As the days get longer again and the temperatures get warmer, we feel that energy shift, and maybe we start to feel a bit more energetic. Or maybe, some people just want to get their beach body ready. So in following the natural cycle of the earth, cleansing or detoxing is, in a way, a spring cleaning for the body.
Why cleanse?
The ultimate purpose of the cleanse is to give your digestive system, and liver, a rest, a time to reset. You might be wondering “I eat healthy, do I need to cleanse?” It is generally a good idea to engage in some form of cleansing at least once a year, regardless of how healthy one eats. This is because, try as we might, in this day and age we cannot escape environmental pollution. It is sad to say, but day in and day out, our bodies are exposed to pollution in the air, toxic residues in the water, chemicals from cleaning and hygiene products, BPA’s from plastic, etc. Of course your liver works hard to metabolize these compounds, and works with your kidneys, intestinal tract, lungs, and sweat glands to eliminate them. So think of cleansing as a way to help your body along with this job, and make sure that it can continue to keep doing its job properly, because even organs can become overworked and tired.
How to cleanse
A cleanse should be a personalized project, because not everyone has the same constitution, or toxic load in their bodies. In addition, if not done properly, it can lead to some very unpleasant side effects. If done properly, it should address all your elimination organs, but at a level which is compatible to you. So here are just a few basic starting points:
Planning to relax:
A cleansing period should be carefully planned. A cleanse should never be undertaken when you are in a period of stress, when you are sick, or when you have many physical and mental tasks to do. This is why spring and fall are the most optimal time to engage in a cleanse. Temperatures are milder, and you likely won’t be shoveling loads of snow, or working hard in the garden under a scorching sun. This is important, because cleansing is not just about cleaning out your body, it is also meant as a time for yourself, to mentally let go of things no longer needed, and taking time for self care. So plan it like a stay-cation if you will, make it an at-home spa week.
Eliminate:
The first step to cleansing, is to eliminate or limit our contact toxins. This can include, alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, transformed foods, animal-based products, cigarettes, using plastic, using conventional cleaning and hygiene products, etc. Doing just this can make a world of difference in your bodies functions, and many will find that this is enough of a cleanse for them, which if you’ve never done a cleanse before is definitely accurate!
Breathe:
In the scope of taking time for yourself, take the time to re-introduce deep breathing exercises into your routine. If you can, plan a walk in your closest forest or parc on a daily basis.
Hydrate:
You’ve heard this one before: drink plenty of water! Water is key to circulate metabolites and nutrients via the blood and lymphatic system, to be eventually excreted by the urine, sweat, and exhalation. Some people choose to add lemon to their water, generally a good choice unless you have bile duct obstruction. Also worth mentioning, if you are someone who is cold all the time, go ahead and add some ginger as well.
Skin:
As your skin also plays a role in elimination it is important to take care of it as well. You can try dry brushing, which stimulates lymphatic circulation, use exclusively natural hygiene products to clean and moisturise yourself, and maybe take the time to make yourself a clay facial. If you have access to it, a sauna can be interesting as well, or you can take a nice long warm Epsom salt bath.
To eat or not to eat?
Finally, the question you’ve all been waiting for: Do I need to fast in order to cleanse? The answer is: it depends! Fasting is not for everyone, to be sure. Some people will do fine by just doing the elimination step, and focusing on eating whole foods. Some people will achieve their cleansing goals by doing a soup and smoothie diet. If you tend to be of a smaller constitution, fasting is not particularly recommended for more than 1 day. A fast should never last more than a week under any circumstance, and when fasting, it is suggested to drink plenty of fluids. This must include water, and can include juices, herbal teas, and broth. It must also be done progressively, eliminating one food group at a time going into it, AND going out of it. Hence, the careful planning.
Would you like to learn how to plan your own personalized cleanse? Contact me to make an appointment!
