It is a common practice to detox at least four times per year, once with every change of season. Doing this cleanses our bodies and helps to remove any toxins that exist from stress, lifestyle choices, and even environmental factors. In Ayurvedic Medicine they believe that autumn is an important time to remove the heat and toxins which accumulated in the body from the summer.
It is no secret that our tastes change and the foods we eat change with the turn of the seasons. We go from cold, fresh fruits and vegetables to more warm and hearty, comforting meals. Completing an Autumn Detox can help prepare your body for these changes and withdraw any toxins or build ups created from the hot summer months.
Some signals your body gives off letting you know it is time for a detox may include weight gain, bloating, allergies, digestive problems, fatigue, acne or other skin issues, bad breath, bad circulation or headaches. By doing a simple cleanse or detox you should see immediate improvements and benefits including weight loss, better sleep, more energy, improved digestion, clearer skin, and even a reduction in cravings.
An Autumn Detox will also help prepare your immune system for the exposures to come, especially with kids going back to school and the cold and flu season. The Autumn Detox typically focuses more on the lungs and large intestine (the gut), which are important for circulation, heart health, and proper digestion.
Here are some general tips to help with your Autumn Detox:
- Try to eat primarily whole foods. We need to remove processed and refined foods, especially sugar, from our diet and focus on clean eating.
- Check out some detox teas and broths to amp your detox. Dandelion and Milk Thistle are wonderful teas to help you detox. Drinking warm water with lemon and cayenne every morning is a wonderful way to start your day and wake up your lymphatic system
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Focus on increasing water intake to flush out your systems.
- Go toxin-free with your soaps and cosmetics. Toxins are absorbed into the skin just as easily as they are consumed through your mouth.
- Lower or reduce your stress levels through meditation, yoga, or some other form of exercise.
- Reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol from your diet.