Should I do a post-summer cleanse?

As summer fades and fall rolls around, we start to look forward to looking inward, sitting in more stillness and resting and relaxing as the winter approaches.

Many of us have had a pretty active summer, and often that comes with a lot of socializing, drinking alcohol, and eating whatever we want. I know after getting married this summer, my body is feeling a little bogged down from all the fun I had, and hey, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that!

I’m a big fan of counteracting the things we have put our bodies through, but I am not a fan of extreme cleanses, juice flushes, or taking harmful actions to get back to our desired state of health.

So, what is healthy detoxing?

Getting yourself back to health doesn’t have to be an elaborate event. In fact, quite the opposite! Your body is always detoxing, that’s what your elimination organs are all about! They’ve got your back, and they want to keep you strong and healthy, so let’s break it down.

Your elimination systems and their organs

Liver

Digestive system and Colon

Lungs and Respiration

Lymphatic

Kidneys and Urination

Skin

Each of the above is continually working to remove toxins and waste from your body and excrete it through their system of elimination.

When we partake in things that bog our systems down (i.e. alcohol, unhealthy foods, some long-term medications), it will require more energy and more time for our elimination to keep up. If we ignore the strain these things are putting on our bodies, this can eventually lead to chronic conditions. But for this post, let’s stick to the summer “cleanse” discussion.

It doesn’t have to be extreme.

There are plenty of cleanses that have you running to the bathroom every half an hour, and although those could be beneficial for a particular person and a specific condition - they aren’t as necessary as many fad health trends would recommend.

So what would be beneficial?

Eliminate the perpetrators: Alcohol, refined sugar, food sensitivities, and unhealthy fats like deep-fried foods.

Eat whole foods: Stick to whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc and fill your meals with fruits and veggies from the rainbow - especially greens! Go for a sustainable source of local proteins and fats. Avoid vegetable and corn oils, and instead use olive, coconut and sesame oils.

Support your elimination systems: Shoot for the stars and try to have at least one bowel movement a day. If this isn’t the norm for you, then try incorporating herbs to support the liver and gastrointestinal system. Seek a practitioner that can suggest herbs, diet and lifestyle tips specific for you. If your bowel movements are on the looser side, you may also want to seek a practitioner’s help.

Get moving: Exercise not only allows your skin to eliminate toxins through sweat but moving the body also helps facilitate your lymphatic system to get moving and work as a pipeline for any substances your body would like to remove.

Hydrate: Make water your best friend. Add in some sea salt and lemon water for some minerals and extra hydration.

Consider gentle herbs: Using gentle plants to support the liver, kidneys, lymph and digestion can be an incredible tool when you’re feeling bogged down post-summer. My go-to’s are Milk Thistle, Calendula, and Dandelion Root.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, I wouldn’t consider this a cleanse or detox at all, but rather a healthy lifestyle with flexibility.

If you’re looking for a safe and effective herbal formula that is gentle and supportive to the elimination systems, try the Revive tincture from my new line.

This is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical conditions. Consult a practitioner if you have any pre-existing conditions before acting on any suggestions made here.