Spring Detox: Foundations

Seasonal change is full of transitions that are environmental, physical, and emotional. Spring is an especially strong time of transition. Not only do we experience a stark contrast from our dark winter days to longer days of sunlight, our pace shifts from slower to a much faster one. Ecosystems in nature essentially go through a “detox” in all seasonal change and we humans are no exception.

When you think of the term “detox” you may visualize a scenario including extreme food and calorie restrictions, green juices and soups, and weird things like enemas! While some of these things do have their place in detox plans, this is not the only way we can help our bodies do what it is designed to do.

Did you know that the human body, in it’s innate wisdom, is detoxing around the clock regardless of what goes in (or out!)? In fact, we are pretty darn good at it and we have certain organs that are masters in this process such as the liver, colon, skin, and lungs. We call these amazing organ systems the emmunctories!

The problem is that in our modern day, we are inundated with toxic manmade substances. These include pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals. Internally, our bodies produce waste byproducts as a result of normal metabolic function. Although the body is designed to rid itself of these toxins naturally through the emmunctories, it can become overburdened and we are left experiencing symptoms such as lethargy, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, depression, joint pain, and more- the list goes on.

Below are some basic everyday tools you can implement in your life to support your detoxification process without having to go to extremes.

1.   Honoring our circadian rhythm and natural light cycle

The circadian rhythm is like an inner clock. It dictates many of our autonomic (similar to automatic) body systems, which occur in the background without our conscious direction such as blood pumping through the heart or endogenous antioxidants swimming around our system cleaning up damage. These body systems are actually driven by natures cycles such as the daily transition from dark to light. Here is how you can support your inner clock:

• Wake and go to sleep within the same hour daily

• As much as possible, let natures light dictate when you wake and sleep

• Eat meals at roughly the same time

• Exercise within the same daily hour

• Go to bed “not full”, with at least some room in your belly

• Attempt normal elimination every morning

2.   Breathing

Our lungs are incredible organs! They are the second most important (after the liver) for the water-soluble toxins and the most important for fat soluble toxins because fat-soluble toxins generally bypass the liver and come directly to the lungs via the lymph. The lungs eliminate these toxins, especially ones that can be converted to gas, by breathing them out.

• Slow down your breath and take fuller deeper inhalations and exhalations

• Getting outside to breath fresh air for at least one hour daily. Indoor air quality varies but in general is less superior to fresh air- especially when we breathe it 24/7.

• Notice when you are holding your breath and try to start a natural rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. We all do it….

3.   Sweat

Most people are aware that sweating is another pathway that rids toxins through our skin. Being the largest organ in the body, it’s no surprise this system plays an important role in detoxification with such a large surface area.

• Light to moderate exercise producing sweat 30 min 3-5x/week

• Sauna and contrast hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold- really cold!)

4.   Forrest Bathing

It has been found that a certain branch of our immune army is boosted when we spend time outside with the trees. This also supports parasympathetic activity for calming effects (also assisting detox pathways).

• Spend 30 min to one hour per day in the trees!

5.   Water

The solution to pollution is dilution! I recommend drinking spring water if possible because it contains healthy minerals that keep our cells hydrated vs distilled or “sterile” water. I recommend a home water filter system to ensure your water is clean as you can get it.

• General rule is to drink half of your body weight in oz (Ex: 100 lb. person should drink 50oz of water)

6.   Nourishment

Our food system is in need of radical change. Unfortunately, much of our food supply is bathed in chemicals such as herbicides/pesticides and other harmful substances that impair our microbiome and overburden our detox pathways. I could go on forever about food and nutrition, but the bottom line is: eat real. organic .food.

• Avoid all processed foods including packages/processed grains (crackers, chips, cookies, baked goods, most commercialized breads, etc.) These foods are especially high in harmful substances and are the cause of many chronic disease.

• Avoid hydrogenated oils and trans fats that cause inflammation such as most vegetable oils and fried foods.

• Eat organic, fresh, and local as much as possible including meat, eggs, and dairy. Eat lots of colorful fruits and veggies, herbs and spices, essential fats (like avocados, olives, olive oil, fresh seeds and nuts, eggs, fish), organic whole grains (quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, etc.).

• Special foods for liver and detox include beets, artichoke, radishes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, soluble fiber from oats, seeds, and legumes and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, cilantro, and strong spices.

 Happy Spring Equinox Everyone,

-Dr. Haley Schimmer, ND