Ways to cleanse & reduce toxins

Happy Spring to you all!

What a blessing it is to feel the warmth of the sun and observe nature waking up and stretching out after the long winter. It's as if our overall energy changes and body and soul are revitalized.  Could it be that we automatically start to reach out for lighter and more living food and feel the drive to cleanse our body, mind and even our surrounding environment?

During winter we obviously eat differently than in summer, often choosing heavier and more grounding food to keep us warm. We also tend to eat more sweet and refined food over this period, which can often drain our entire system.

Why not try to clear the clutter and do a little detox in your life? There are numerous ways to cleanse toxins from your body and from your environment.

A good cleanse helps every organ in the body, especially the hard-working liver that stores many of the toxins which we come in contact with daily. That’s why getting rid of toxic poisons in our body, mind and environment helps us to feel so much healthier.

First, I would advise you to do a little research and find out what is available for you and what suits your personal needs.

Body and Mind

Maintaining a healthy diet, regular cardiovascular exercise and proper hydration-plus stress-reducing practices -- all encourage natural detoxification. Wellness practitioners also recommend eliminating alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats for an intense period of cleansing. The idea is to replace toxin-heavy substances with a diet rich in fiber to cleanse the digestive tract. Take a tip from Dr. Hal Blatman, who suggests increasing the cleansing enzymes in the digestive track by sticking to raw or lightly steamed fruits and vegetables. I also urge you to concentrate on drinking a lot of water, skipping refined white bread and all refined foods for at least a week -- or permanently! The question is always how far you want to take these changes. But these small steps can deliver big results.

As for nurturing your spirit as well as your body, there are many sources to support you in developing a positive mindset. You can, for example, purchase a guided meditation CD (Louise Hay is one of my favorites) or log on to an online meditation. The idea is to reserve ten quiet minutes a day, just for deep breathing and an appreciation for all the good things present in your life. 

Home Environment

To maintain good health -- in addition to eating healthy foods and being physically active -- we also need to be aware of choices we make in our environment.  What chemicals might you be bringing into your home or using in your garden?  To quote one website, www.Reduce.org:

"Simple changes in our everyday routines can reduce our long-term exposures to low levels of potentially harmful substances—changes in how we choose the products we buy, or the ways we clean our houses and take care of the yard. These changes will not only make our homes safer, they may also save us money."

Make it your goal this spring to clear out all those items from your home that no longer serve you. If you don't need it-- let it go! You can either sell it or give it away if there is someone who has use for it. Some things, however,  just have to be thrown away (remember the recycling center). The good news is that after this Clutter Cleanse, you will immediately feel your energy levels increase!

As for the home products you keep, consider gradually replacing them with non-toxic, chemical-free ones. There are many to choose from as customer demand has increased. Another possibility is to use products you may already have. Ordinary vinegar mixed with water is effective to clean windows, mirrors and even stains from your clothes.  Baking soda is handy to clean sinks, tubs and toilets. Try to avoid bleach when possible. If whitening is needed, use non-chlorine bleach, which is oxygen-based and often highly effective. 

I urge you to do your research and increase your awareness for a healthier and cleaner environment. The first place to start is within yourself!

Wish you a Blissful Cleanse

By Elisabeta BOGA

Holistic Health Coach