8 Techniques To Spring Clean Your Body
As we transition into warmer days, we are often drawn to want to partake in spring cleaning rituals. Everywhere I look I see friends and neighbors tidying up their yards, decluttering their spaces, and deep cleaning their homes. And while I find all these chores quite important, I think a little "spring cleaning" of the body's systems is equally as important during these times.
What I am talking about is partaking in a few cleansing and detoxifying activities for your body. This season is a really good time to boost your body's natural detoxification process. This usually includes daily rituals centered around clean nutrition, proper hydration, reducing your toxic load, and an increase in healthy habits. The benefits of conscious detox programs can include increased energy, clearer skin, improved digestion, and better sleep to name a few.
I'm a firm believer that detoxing the physical body also has a direct effect on our spiritual or energetic health. In this blog article, I once wrote how toxic overload damages our energy field, disconnects us from our Higher Self, and disrupts the overall flow of vital life force energy. So, when we detox, we're not just supporting the physical body, we're also cleansing out old, stagnant, and unhelpful energies from the spiritual body.
Personally, I’ve never been a fan of hardcore detox programs. They usually feel too intense for my body and leave my energy feeling wildly out of balance. I’ve always intuitively felt that gentle, softer approaches were best for me.
Chances are, if you’re like me, then you’re probably craving a little spring detox right now. So, today I’m sharing eight of my favorite, gentle, yet effective body detox techniques. It is my hope that one or two of these will inspire you and give your body the necessary reset that it needs to feel more balanced and harmonious.
Herbal Teas
Many herbs are known to help support the body's natural detoxification processes. Some of my favorite plants to brew during the spring months are dandelion, nettle, ginseng, echinacea, and green tea. Other kitchen staples, such as lemon, ginger, and cayenne, can also be added to teas and waters to help flush out the digestive systems.
Most detoxifying herbs can assist in balancing your bodies pH and maintaining healthy liver functions. Adding 1-2 cups of tea throughout your day can strengthen your immune system, stimulate digestion, and boost your metabolism.
Here's a few of my favorite tea recipes that are perfect for this time of year:
Armpit Detox
An armpit detox is a mask that is applied to the underarms to help naturally draw out toxins from the body. These recipes utilize homemade ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, bentonite clay or charcoal.
The underarms contain a plethora of sweat glands. And sweat is one of our bodies most powerful ways to eliminate bacteria, toxins, and chemicals from the body. An armpit detox helps to flush out and clean the sweat glands and pores in these areas. It can also be beneficial for those who are having a difficult time transitioning from traditional deodorants to more natural formulas.
See: dōTERRA DIY Armpit Mask and Underarm Detox Mask
Dry Brushing
Dry skin brushing is an ancient beauty practice that uses a natural, stiff-bristled brush on the body to exfoliate the skin. This technique, when done properly, helps your body naturally eliminate toxins by opening your pores and promoting lymph drainage.
Dry brushing is a great practice to utilize during the spring, especially because it helps to remove dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and residues that have accumulated over the winter. It can also help your skin get "summer ready" by providing exfoliating benefits and reducing the appearance of cellulite.
See: Step-by-step Dry Brush Instructions
Detox Bath
There are several ingredients that I like to add to my baths that can stimulate detoxification, remove heavy metals, and balance the bodies pH levels. Warm baths obviously have many physical body benefits, but they can also help with spiritual detoxification and energetic cleansing of the