When the New Year comes, I often hear people say that they are looking forward to resetting their house after Christmas, to bring in the fresh, new energies of the New Year. If you’re doing a Spring Clean of your home, why not do a Spring Clean of your body too?
We can get ourselves into a bit of a funk over Winter, wanting comforting and warming foods, as well as celebrating the festive season. We indulge (and rightfully so!) on chocolate, cheese, wine and other delicious foods and drink. We party, socialise and stay inside to protect against the cold, but when January comes round, we’re ready to have a body reset and not feel so sluggish and tired. I speak from experience when I say it can be hard to get going again when you feel so sluggish and you’re willingly saying no to chocolate- but here are four ways you can Spring Clean your Body, and get that Spring freshness and spark back!
Eat Fresh Fruit and Vegetables that are in Season.
One of the best ways to reset is to tune into nature! Eating fresh fruit and vegetables- the ones that are currently in season and easily available where you live- is a great way to honour the cycles of nature and give your body what it needs most after the darker months. Nature naturally provides what we need at certain times of the year- so looking for Spring inspiration for foods means looking out in nature! Head out to a farm shop to find local produce to eat, or you can try your hand at growing your own fresh fruit and vegetables in your garden! If you have a small garden, a patio or just a window sill, you can still try growing your own- try herbs, edible flowers or even kale!
Drink Water.
I find myself craving glasses of cold water after New Year- like my body is telling me to have a cleanse; water is an excellent way to have a detox- it can flush toxins from your body, kick-start your metabolism, prevent constipation, aid digestion and carry nutrients around your body. I have one cold glass of water on a morning before breakfast, and sip others throughout the day. If I’m finding it hard to kick fizzy drinks to the curb, I’ll opt for a sparkling water- it satisfies the fizzy craving whilst still getting water in my body!
Add Lemons to Your Diet.
If you haven’t yet experienced the wonder of this little yellow citrus fruit- then make sure you add it to your diet this year! Containing over half of your daily recommended Vitamin C intake, this amazing citrus fruit can also help with digestion, support your immune system and improve the overall health of your skin (helping to make you look younger!) Add a slice to your water or use it as a dressing for your salad.
Reset Your Sleeping Habits.
When the clocks go forward and the evenings get a little longer, use this time to reset your sleeping habits. You may have fallen into the habit of using your phone just before sleep over Winter, or snacking just before going to bed- Spring is the perfect time to knock these habits on the head- set a consistent time to head to bed, and begin your evening routine roughly an hour before (or longer, it’s your routine!) with limited screen time, fresh air, a calming drink, meditations or reading a book.
There you have it- 4 ways to Spring Clean your body ready for the Spring Equinox! Have you tried any of these methods- or do you have another way to have a reset? Let me know in the comments below!