Spring is in the air … and your mind may wander to all the spring cleaning that awaits. Just as you tackle the nooks and crannies of your home, your body could also use Spring ‘tuning’.
Here are a few simple suggestions to get you started:
Exercise:
You may have spent much of the winter indoors, neglecting your usual exercise regime. As the snow melts, it is a perfect time to gradually increase your physical activity. Taking long walks is a step in the right direction. Get your daily dose of vitamin D by spending 15 to 20 minutes in the sun without sunscreen. By keeping fit and getting some fresh air this Spring, your health will bloom.
Diet:
- Get your daily ‘Double Double” … that is, double your fruit and vegetable intake. Extra helpings of bitter vegetables in particular are beneficial for detoxification.
- Prepare some “Change of Season Soup”. This is an immune tonic used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It consists of Codonopsis root, Astragalus, Dioscorea root and Chinese lychee berries. It can be consumed daily for one to two weeks, and is available at your local Asian health food store.
- Start your day with some freshly squeezed lemon juice in a glass of lukewarm water. This will help your liver and acts as a mild detox.
- Drink more water. Limit alcohol and caffeine.
- Give yourself a break from sugar. Instead, enjoy the natural sweetness of fruit.
Skin:
Your skin is a major detoxification organ. Add a few extra skin regimes to your day. For a period of time, avoid perfumes, lotions and creams which include unnatural ingredients. Limit use of make-up. Moisturize your skin with natural products, such as olive oil.
Keep your home fresh and clean.
- Opt for natural, chemical-free cleaning products in your household. Vinegar and water is a great option.
- Open the windows and let in the fresh air! This will improve the air quality in your home and contribute to our overall health.
Meditation:
Take some time each day to sit quietly and reflect. You can keep it simple: close your eyes and relax your body, while breathing deeply. This can be done for as little as five to ten minutes a day.