Spring Detoxification

Ready to shed winter and welcome spring?

Live seasonally by taking nature’s lead for rejuvenation and growth with these 5 steps!

1. Clean up and refresh diet.

Forgo the heaviness of winter and opt for the lightness of spring when it comes to food.  Mother nature is beginning to burst with fresh, seasonal offerings so take advantage of these foods and their health benefits.

To do this, consider:

• cleaning out cabinets and getting rid of unhealthy, highly-processed foods and drinks
• creating a daily meal plan, inclusive of snacks and incorporate at least 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables
• schedule prepping time (cleaning, chopping, and organizing)
• being aware of triggers that may cause poor choices and what to do when that arises
• monitoring your progress with a daily food journal with notes about about how you feel after each meal and snack

And reach for green vegetables!  Dandelion, kale, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, and artichoke are all spring seasonal vegetables that support detoxification.

2. Get moving…outside!

With warmer temps (for the most part!) and longer daylight, make use of the Earth’s natural move toward spring with outdoor movement.

Sweating can be a way to detoxify through the skin, so get that heart pumping!  Spring hiking, skiing, snowboarding, running, biking, and playing at parks are some ways to get out and feel spring on your skin while you detox through it!

In addition, movement can support healthy bowel movements (along with fiber!) which can also aid in proper ridding of toxins and waste and the extra hydration needed for exercise is beneficial for the kidneys to flush the body.

3. Reduce toxic exposure.

It can be hard to remove toxins from your environment – everyday we are exposed to chemicals, many of which are in our own homes.  They can have negative effects on health such as weight gain, infertility, and possibly cancer so limiting exposure can be beneficial.

To reduce exposure to harmful synthetic chemicals:

• check personal products such as lotions, soaps, and perfumes for phthalates and parabens and choose ones free of these in the future
•  limit high chemical cleaning products (including laundry detergent) and pesticides and opt for natural and organic solutions instead; wear a face mask when cleaning
• select non-plastic food containers and water bottles whenever possible
• consider essential oils for air freshening (such as through a diffuser) rather than chemically enhanced sprays or deodorizers

4. Shed stress.

If stress has built up over the winter, spring is a great time to kick it to the curb.

In addition to a healthy diet and plenty of movement, a reset can be supported with:

• acupuncture to calm the nervous system, refocus and clear the mind, and enhance immunity (helpful for allergy season!)
• massage to flush the lymphatic system of toxins and relax muscle tension
• meditation for mindfulness and enjoyment of the season
• reading a new book, possibly on personal growth!
• warm epsom salt baths with essential oils such as eucalyptus, geranium, jasmine, bergamot, lavender, and ylang ylang
• adaptogen herbs such as ashwaghanda, rhodiola, holy basil, and Siberian ginseng

5. Regroup mentally.

Allow the mind to reset with a break!

Note what, when, and where a technology break needs to be had and create a 2-4 week plan to follow through with it.

For example, turning off electronics at meal times, reading a book rather than scrolling through social media at night, and dedicated time throughout the week to be present with friends and family can all help detoxify the mind from clutter and create new, healthy habits.

Ready to reset?

Schedule an acupuncture, holistic counseling, or massage session at (303) 688-6698 or click here for appointment times and start detoxification for your new you.

The CNMA office provides naturopathic care, acupuncture, testing, massage, and holistic counseling to those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area.  For those outside of these areas, virtual appointments are available.