We’re all in favour of embarking on a little Spring Detox. According to traditional Eastern and Chinese medicine, Spring is the most ideal time of the year to cleanse and nourish the liver, clear away toxins accumulated in our bodies and to harness the transformative energy of renewal.
From juice cleansing to clean eating, cleansing comes in different forms. Whichever method you choose, we know it’s not easy – au contraire, it can be a tough challenge to stick to one. Since we’re rooting for you, we’ve called on our resident wellbeing experts to share their tips to make this process easier and as worthwhile as possible. Read on for their tips to support your Spring Cleanse below. Of course, feel free to incorporate these wherever you feel the need – good habits are for any time of the year. We like to use Spring as a simple reminder to be kind to ourselves. If you’d like the guidance of an expert during your cleanse, you can book a Naturopathic Consultation instore.
BODY
Body Brushing: Did you know that dry body brushing has a host of benefits? This simple rhythmical sweeping motion can actually help improve liver health and kidney function, as well as stimulating the lymphatic system to draw out waste. Overall, it’s a fantastic way to assist your body in removing unwanted toxins and one that’s easily done! Buff up with our guide to body brushing here.
Try a massage: Massage is a great way to help your body during the detoxification process. Not only is it very relaxing, but it is a completely natural way to help your body remove toxic waste, enhance your immune system and support any cleansing program you are in. You can try a number of different therapies: personally, we are huge fans of reflexology, which you can try here and our BodyWork Massage.
You can also try a DIY massage at home, with a little help from our Massage Therapist Rebekah Juett. Here, she explains how to do your own pressure-point detox treatment. It’s easier than you think! Over to Rebekah…
“I hope you enjoy this massage! Conducting acupressure at home is easy, and with a little practice you can become an acupressure master too. Acupressure is based on the concept that ‘life energy’ flows through meridians in our body. Using acupressure may help clear blockages in these meridians, to aid digestion and detoxification. There are four main points to focus on, which include the heart, liver and lungs: these refer to the energy pathways on which the acupressure point sits and the corresponding organs it benefits most.
Heart 8: Located on the palm of the hand, about one centimetre below the webbing between the little finger and ring finger knuckles.
Liver 2: Located on the top of the foot where the big toe and the second toe meet.
Lung 8: Located on the inside of the arm, below the thumb, about one centimetre from the wrist crease towards the heart (just below the wrist bone).
Liver 4: Located just under the ankle bone, on the inside of the leg (you can feel the slight dip).
- To begin, apply a firm pressure to the heart 8 and liver 2 points simultaneously.
- Then, move to lung 8 and liver 4 points, again applying a firm pressure at the same time.
- Repeat on the opposite side of the body.
- Hold each point for 1- 2 minutes and practice numerous times throughout the day for best results.
It is common to feel tenderness in different points: this is a sign you have found the right acupressure point, and the sensitivity will subside the longer you hold it. After conducting the acupressure, it is very important to drink one or two glasses of water: hydration is important to quickly dissolve and excrete any toxins that the acupressure releases into the blood and lymph.
Try our Cleanse Kit: As well as cleansing internally, topically we like to treat our body to a refreshing #ContentRitual using our limited-edition ‘Content Cleanse Kit’, containing some of our Spring and Summer body essentials, which take you from exfoliating to bathing. It also features a Content Cleanse Tea (we consume industrial quantities of it during this time of the year, alternating with our Skin Tea). Overall, it’s a great accompaniment to your Spring Cleanse! Get it here.
NUTRITION
Up Your Greens: Although you’d want to make sure you’re getting your five-a-day and eating your greens all year round, it’s key that you keep levels up during your cleanse: in particular, there is a selection of ‘green superfoods’ which are very beneficial, acting as a detoxing aid and energy boosting aid. We’re never without them in powdered formulas, as we can easily add them to our smoothies or juices, even when on the go. Check them out here.
WELLBEING
Often, it’s the little things done daily which makes the biggest difference to our overall wellbeing. So we’ve asked Content Naturopath Fay Halkitis to suggest five simple swaps which you can easily incorporate in your routine.
Adopt Five Simple Swaps for a gentle Spring Cleanse: “The liver is one of our main detoxifying organs (along with our kidneys, lungs, skin and bowels). A cleanse or a detox is viewed as something we decide to undertake when we are feeling sluggish, tired or simply because we want to support overall health. I always like to remind my clients that we are in fact detoxifying 24/7! If you’re a busy bee, why not try incorporating cleansing foods on a daily basis? Spring is the perfect time to reinvent yourself! I’ve put together some of my favourite ‘swaps’ and tips.
- Coffee. For a healthy body, coffee isn’t necessarily the enemy, but if you find yourself stressed on a regular basis or suffering from a chronic condition, it may be time to find an alternative. Our very own Content Coffee is the perfect substitute. With chicory as the base, this coffee alternative is an excellent tonic for the liver and stomach. Cacao and licorice give it a beautiful flavour, while cinnamon will help stabilise blood sugar levels. With such a tasty and beneficial formula, you can brew a big pot morning or evening!
- Let it go. Ok, so this one isn’t a swap but it’s essential for good health. Holding onto negative feelings or resentment is one of the biggest obstacles to a healthy mind and body.
- Exercise. Swap one 30 minute TV show for a walk daily. It’ll clear your mind and boost circulation and lymphatic drainage, for enhanced detoxification. You’ll feel the difference in no time.
- Antioxidants. When attempting a DIY cleanse, many people forget that it’s not just a process of taking away but also putting nutrients back in. Antioxidants are an essential part of the cleansing process as they mop up the free radicals that have been liberated. Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants. Good sources include artichokes, asparagus, turmeric, broccoli, avocado, garlic, grapefruit and cinnamon.
- Nutmeg. Nutmeg is our secret spice for better sleep. Sleep is essential for adequate detoxification and healing to take place. Try a cup of warm almond milk, honey and just a sprinkling of nutmeg (freshly grated is best) an hour before bed.
- Skin. At Content we are all about skin health! Part of the detoxification process includes swapping synthetic products for natural, nourishing ones. Book in for a facial and we can help you find the perfect products.
- Elimination. Unfortunately, there are some foods that just have to go! Namely, refined sugar and trans-fat. If you’re struggling with cravings, make cinnamon, cacao and organic berries your best friends instead!”
Want to support your detox with the help of an expert? Book one of our treatments instore! Click here for more information or phone 020 3075 100 to book.
SPRING ATTUNEMENT: OUR EXPERT TIPS FOR SPRING
