It's Time for a Fall Cleanse!

Hello Fall!  Fall is always a favourite time of year. We get back into routine and enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous colours of the changing leaves. This is a time of transition to cooler, damp weather, less daylight, spending more hours indoors, our energy begins to wane and we naturally slow down. 

As the trees begin to shed their leaves with their autumn transformation, it’s an ideal time to take a cue and follow suit. We can take inspiration from this seasonal shift. We can tune into the rhythm of nature and align with its wisdom, have a look at what we have to let go of. It's helpful to support our body as we transition from the hot summer and prepare for colder weather by cleansing and detoxifying. 

Fall is a traditional time for cleansing and is key to maintaining good health.  Throughout the year, poor diet choices, chemicals, pollution, stress and lack of quality sleep accumulate and affect the body.  Fall cleansing is helpful to clean up and prepare for what’s to come. It helps to reset your digestive system, balance emotional and mental health and strengthens your defenses to become more resilient to colds and flus. You will feel more grounded and nourished.

If you are new to cleansing and detoxing, it may be overwhelming to know where to start.  Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Determine how many days you’re going to cleanse. It can be as short as 3 days or longer depending on your goals and experience level.  Shorter cleanses are often gentler and more suitable for beginners.
2. There are many ways to cleanse. Find a method that feels right for you. A simple detox is to focus on eating clean with nutrient dense foods including lightly steamed vegetables, lean protein, warming clear broth vegetable soups and bone broth. Remove all processed foods, seed oils, sugar, dairy, gluten, grains, alcohol, caffeine. 
3. Be sure to flush out toxins by drinking lots of water. Keep your body hydrated. Half your body weight in ounces is a good guideline.
4. Start each day with warm water, add the juice of half an organic lemon and a slice of fresh ginger. Have warming herbal teas throughout the day.
5. Use warming autumn spices to help naturally detox the body, enhance digestion and increase circulation.  Think cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom.
6. Support your liver and kidneys for effective detoxification. This can be done with herbal teas, herbal tinctures or combination supplements.  Herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, burdock and turmeric support liver function. Parsley, dandelion, nettle and chanca piedra support the kidneys. Always ask your holistic nutritionist or health professional for guidance on what is safe and appropriate for your needs.

Be sure to support your body during your cleanse with gentle movement such as walking and yoga.  Spend time in nature. Mindfulness practices like meditation, visualization, grounding, deep breathing, journaling and tapping can help to reduce stress and enhance the overall health benefits. 

As you come to the end of your cleanse, be sure to transition by gradually reintroducing the foods you eliminated.  This will help your body adjust and prevent any digestive discomfort.  Continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle by focusing on a diet filled with nutrient dense foods, exercise and mindfulness practices to support your well-being.

A well-planned fall cleanse can help you align with the rhythms of the season, reset your body, boost your immune system and support your body as you transition into the colder months.  Why not give it a try?!