The ‘What’ ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of a Spring Detox

The ‘What’ ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of a Spring Detox

The Spring season is the time to enjoy nature awakening after its long winter sleep. New tiny flower buds, the shiny bright green leaves, and the beauty of the colorful flowers add sparkle to the mundane everyday existence. Different regions in India celebrate no less than 19 spring festivals – it’s a chance to change pace and get ready to embrace the new season. What makes the spring season special for you?

Spring is symbolic of rebirth and new beginnings. It is also a great time to reset your metabolism and dive into a Spring Detox. Have you ever tried a Spring Body Detox before? Although the body has an amazing inbuilt detoxification mechanism, when needed, we can support and supplement our body’s detoxification efforts. A simple detox can last for a single day to a full month. It all depends on one’s personal preference and the options that work best for you. If you are someone who fasts for any reason, you are already doing this detox!

What is a Spring Detox?

Natural detox is nothing but eating foods that are easy to digest and allow your body to flush out leftover food gunk from the bowels. An easy detox involves eating good amounts of detox-friendly plant-based foods such as leafy greens, light easy-to-digest vegetables, herbs, low-sugar fruit, along with plenty of water and herbal teas to support your body’s detoxification system. 

In many regional homes in India, eating simple ‘daal-rice’ khichadi with mild anti-inflammatory spices or drinking a particular kind of ‘rasam’ is a regular part of acclimatizing our bodies to the changing season. Are there any such special traditions for eating special foods as the seasons change in your home? 

Much research has been done to showcase the effect different seasons have on our body and mind. It is believed that spring is a great time to detox because we have spent the winter months indulging in rich winter foods like heavy soups, sarson ka saag and makai ki roti, and heavy vindaloos, and cakes/pastries to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Our body feels sluggish from our winter indulgences and is ready for a break. Besides, detox-friendly foods and herbs are abound as spring emerges. Bitter greens, bright spring vegetables, earthy roots, and vibrant broths and teas form the backbone of a good spring cleanse.

Why do a Spring Detox?

As discussed, detoxing is the process of removing harmful substances from the body which also helps with managing many health issues. People who detox experience a marked increase in energy. Their complexion becomes clearer and eyes sparkle. They experience better focus and concentration in their work and their mood is elevated. 

Have you ever considered the various ways we are exposed to toxins? In our everyday lives, we are exposed to toxins through the water we drink, the air we breathe, the food we eat, products we put on our skin, recreational habits such as smoking, alcohol and coffee, environmental pollutants, and chemical cleaning products. Constant exposure to toxins puts our body under a huge amount of strain. Our kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, and bowels are our main detoxification organs that work extra hard to expel these toxins from our body. Some symptoms indicative of a toxin overload include fatigue, headaches, low mood, skin breakouts, digestive issues, dark circles under the eyes, and low immune function. Detoxing is a great way to cleanse the body and reduce this toxic load, allowing your organs to recover and regenerate. Detoxification also promotes healing in the body.

How To Do an Easy Spring Detox?

There are many ways to detox. Here are some simple tips for a springtime detox.

Things to keep in mind regarding your ‘Food’ when embarking on a detox:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day (just add a dash of fresh lemon! Lemon boosts the detoxifying effects of water)
• Make fresh juices part of your life (think of them as a liquid salad!)
• Use fresh, seasonal produce and herbs
• Eliminate any alcohol intake
• Cut out “junk” and processed foods
• Cut down on your caffeine intake
• Add more natural fiber to your diet
• Add antioxidants in the form of fruit and berries 
• Some herbal and green teas are terrific purifiers

Things to keep in mind regarding your ‘Lifestyle’ when embarking on a detox:

• Introduce regular exercise into your life
• Try dry skin-brushing before your shower or bath
• Practice good, deep breathing
• Practice meditation and mindfulness 
• Disconnect from media 30 minutes before sleep
• Try a social media detox

Quick Recap:

• There are many ways to detox; choose what works best for your own personal needs
• Remember your body has a robust in-built elimination and detoxification system
• A detox can be done to enhance your body’s natural detoxification system
• A detox can help improve your overall health and even support your weight management goals
• A detox does not have to be expensive or difficult — use the easy, common sense approach