Spring is the time for fresh starts and getting rid of anything toxic in our life. I love a good juice cleanse from time to time, but there are other, just as important and effective ways of clearing out the bad stuff and letting the good stuff in. Here are some top tips on how to detox without stepping foot in the gym or blowing all your wages at the organic fruit and veg market:
1. Meditate for 5 minutes. You don't need to get into lotus, or start chanting, unless of course that's your thing! Just sit quietly and comfortably, keeping your spine as straight as possible, and focus on the natural rhythm of your breathing. Clearing out the clutter in the mind, especially at the start and end of the day, is the best way to refocus on our intentions and set the tone for the day ahead.
2. Swap your morning cuppa for hot water & lemon. This alkalises the body and kick starts your metabolism before you even get to the cereal cupboard. I never thought I would be able to get out of bed without a cup of tea, but this does the trick for me and I no longer crave my morning caffeine fix.
3. Have a long soak in the tub. Make your own detoxing soak by adding a cup of epsom salts or bicarbonate of soda to your bath water, with a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Lie back and relax until you start to turn wrinkly, then wash yourself with soap and step out of your pleasingly murky bath full of all the toxins you've released from the skin.
4. Get rid of parabens. Swap your usual beauty products for brands that are paraben free and stop rubbing extra toxins into your hair and body. My favourite brands are Dead Sea Spa Magik (available in Holland & Barrett), Doterra and Neil's Yard.
5. Make your exercise count and make it fun. If you're feeling motivated to exercise, then do it in the morning when the liver is most receptive to working hard and flushing out those toxins. Make it something you enjoy (I'm loving spending 5 minutes with my hula-hoop each day to slim the waistline, and whizzing about on my rollerblades or bike like a big kid) and if possible, get outside so you're getting some fresh air at the same time as your cardio too.
6. Make your home sweet smelling. Fill a vase with some spring flowers or diffuse some detoxifying essential oils around the home. Grapefruit, lime and lavender are great.
7. Have a good clean out. Tidy house, tidy mind! Get rid of all the old clothes that you no longer wear or no longer fit, and give them to someone who will appreciate them. Chuck out anything suspicious lying in the back of the fridge, tidy out a drawer or tackle the ever growing pile of paper on the side of the desk/chair/kitchen counter/bedside table etc. You'll feel instantly better and satisfyingly smug.
8. Scrape your tongue when you wake up. Love this one for getting rid of bacteria and morning breath. You can use the back of your toothbrush, the edge of a teaspoon, or even buy your very own specialised tongue scraping implement from the internet. Marvel at how gross your tongue is, feel pleased that you have done something about it, then get on with the rest of your day.
9. Bring in the new! Have something new that you've always wanted to try but never got round to it? Have a plan for a new business? Want to make friends with the nice person you keep bumping into on the school run? Now is the time to do it. Stop procrastinating, sit down and write down a few goals for your personal or professional life, and do something right away to get them started.
10. Walk past the biscuit aisle. If you don't see them, you won't buy them. If they're not in the cupboard you can't eat them. Simple. If you feel like doing more, then do. If you want to go full detox, now is the time. But if you haven't eaten a full packet of chocolate hobnobs* in front of Netflix the night before, you don't have to feel guilty about that tiny biscuit you get on the side of your coffee (sorry... herbal tea) when you meet up with that new friend you've made.
I'm no spring angel, but doing a few of these things over the course of the season, really helps me to stay motivated and feel a whole lot better in my body and mind. Give them a go.
p.s. I bet you'll start eating healthier too!
*Please insert your own personal downfall here.
1. Meditate for 5 minutes. You don't need to get into lotus, or start chanting, unless of course that's your thing! Just sit quietly and comfortably, keeping your spine as straight as possible, and focus on the natural rhythm of your breathing. Clearing out the clutter in the mind, especially at the start and end of the day, is the best way to refocus on our intentions and set the tone for the day ahead.
2. Swap your morning cuppa for hot water & lemon. This alkalises the body and kick starts your metabolism before you even get to the cereal cupboard. I never thought I would be able to get out of bed without a cup of tea, but this does the trick for me and I no longer crave my morning caffeine fix.
3. Have a long soak in the tub. Make your own detoxing soak by adding a cup of epsom salts or bicarbonate of soda to your bath water, with a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Lie back and relax until you start to turn wrinkly, then wash yourself with soap and step out of your pleasingly murky bath full of all the toxins you've released from the skin.
4. Get rid of parabens. Swap your usual beauty products for brands that are paraben free and stop rubbing extra toxins into your hair and body. My favourite brands are Dead Sea Spa Magik (available in Holland & Barrett), Doterra and Neil's Yard.
5. Make your exercise count and make it fun. If you're feeling motivated to exercise, then do it in the morning when the liver is most receptive to working hard and flushing out those toxins. Make it something you enjoy (I'm loving spending 5 minutes with my hula-hoop each day to slim the waistline, and whizzing about on my rollerblades or bike like a big kid) and if possible, get outside so you're getting some fresh air at the same time as your cardio too.
6. Make your home sweet smelling. Fill a vase with some spring flowers or diffuse some detoxifying essential oils around the home. Grapefruit, lime and lavender are great.
7. Have a good clean out. Tidy house, tidy mind! Get rid of all the old clothes that you no longer wear or no longer fit, and give them to someone who will appreciate them. Chuck out anything suspicious lying in the back of the fridge, tidy out a drawer or tackle the ever growing pile of paper on the side of the desk/chair/kitchen counter/bedside table etc. You'll feel instantly better and satisfyingly smug.
8. Scrape your tongue when you wake up. Love this one for getting rid of bacteria and morning breath. You can use the back of your toothbrush, the edge of a teaspoon, or even buy your very own specialised tongue scraping implement from the internet. Marvel at how gross your tongue is, feel pleased that you have done something about it, then get on with the rest of your day.
9. Bring in the new! Have something new that you've always wanted to try but never got round to it? Have a plan for a new business? Want to make friends with the nice person you keep bumping into on the school run? Now is the time to do it. Stop procrastinating, sit down and write down a few goals for your personal or professional life, and do something right away to get them started.
10. Walk past the biscuit aisle. If you don't see them, you won't buy them. If they're not in the cupboard you can't eat them. Simple. If you feel like doing more, then do. If you want to go full detox, now is the time. But if you haven't eaten a full packet of chocolate hobnobs* in front of Netflix the night before, you don't have to feel guilty about that tiny biscuit you get on the side of your coffee (sorry... herbal tea) when you meet up with that new friend you've made.
I'm no spring angel, but doing a few of these things over the course of the season, really helps me to stay motivated and feel a whole lot better in my body and mind. Give them a go.
p.s. I bet you'll start eating healthier too!
*Please insert your own personal downfall here.
