Ready to shake off the winter blues? With the energy of the change of seasons, spring is a natural time for a detox or cleanse. There are many reasons to embark on a cleanse; often clients approach a cleanse with the intention of renewal. Others are looking for improved energy, increased mental clarity, or a hormonal reset.
No one wants to feel deprived, and even with the promise of feeling better, the prospect of a week on a juice or broth cleanse feels impossible to many people. The good news is, you CAN do a cleanse without feeling deprived or only drinking juice for a week. Here are some tips to do a simple cleanse for beginners:
1.) Start the day with a cup of hot water with lemon to stimulate your liver. Continue to drink hot water with lemon throughout the day.
2.) Decrease your caffeine intake. If necessary, supplement with hot or iced green tea. Reducing stimulants will help restore your adrenals.
3). Boost your water intake. You should drink at least half of your weight in ounces. Water helps to flush out the kidneys and promotes bowel regularity which is critical for liver cleansing.
4). Drink apple cider vinegar. Mix one tablespoon apple cider vinegar with water. This helps to increases stomach acid to aid in iron and B12 absorption.
5). Eat high quality, seasonal whole food (preferably organic whenever possible), and avoid anything packaged or processed.
6). Incorporate light exercise like walking. Try to get outside for a 10-20 minute walk two or three times a day.
7). Get enough rest. Aim for a minimum of eight hours per night. Here are some habits to develop for improved sleep.
I am certainly an advocate for a more in-depth cleanse. In fact, you’ll find lots more information in these blog posts: use of milk thistle, detoxing with Core Restore, bone broth cleanse, why detox, and herbs for detoxing. But for clients new to the idea of a cleanse, this beginner’s program I’ve outlined above is a great starting point.