Spring has always been considered a time of renewal and rebirth when most of our flowers and trees burst into new growth and colour. It is also a good time to spring clean your body and get back to your health commitments that often go astray over winter. It’s a perfect time to prepare your body ready to make the most of summer – looking good, feeling great, lots of energy.

Spring is a perfect time to turn over a new leaf and start on a detox plan

What benefits will you get from a spring detox? Your body can benefit from a spring clean just the same as your home. This winter has been one of our coldest for many years. Whether you like it or not, city living is a toxic environment and in winter we often huddle in heated rooms with no fresh air and reach for those warming comfort foods. Time to refresh and revitalise. Refreshing your body = increased vitality, better sleep, happier you How do you know you whether you might benefit from a detox? Your body is undergoing it’s own detoxification and elimination on an ongoing basis, to minimise damage from toxins and harmful substances. It is fundamental to good health and wellbeing. As yyour body becomes over burdened with the stressors of your lifestyle, these mechanisms become overworked and can predispose your body to more illness, fatigue and feeling run down.

Ask Yourself these Quick Questions...

Check if you can relate to any of these reasons...

• Do you feel tired and run down?
• Are you getting sick easily?
• Do you suffer from headaches or migraines?
• Are you having trouble sleeping?
• Do you suffer from diarrhoea or constipation?
• Do you suffer from skin issues?
• Do you suffer from allergies or asthma?
• Do you suffer from digestive issues such as heartburn, burping, nausea or reflux?
• Do you experience muscle aches and pains?
• Has your memory and concentration been affecting your ability to function?
• Do you suffer from anxiety of mood swings?

If you answered 'yes' to one or more of these questions, it might be a good time to talk about how a Detox can support your health and wellbeing.

What is involved in a detox?

During a detox your body is being supported to effectively cleanse out toxins through the liver, so that they can be removed via the skin, urine and faeces. This can be done by

• Eating clean, fresh organic food
• Herbs and nutrients that support the function of the your body
• Gentle exercise
• Relaxation
• Chewing your food slowly
• Support for detoxification such as dry skin brushing
• Drinking plenty of fresh, filtered water
• Learning how to reduce your toxic load

Are there any side effects?

For some people there are side effects. It is important to mention to the naturopath or professional guiding you through your detox program of any known health conditions. Usually the symptoms are mild and experienced temporarily during the first week. In our article 'Are you ready for a detox', you can get some helpful advice on preparing for a detox, which includes drinking lots of water. Symptoms may include headaches, light headedness, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea or some mood changes. These symptoms should be short lived and you should feel a renewed sense of vitality and wellbeing after.

What’s a good detox program?

There are so many detox programs available and the choices can often be confusing. Basically, a good detox program includes reducing toxin accumulation while supporting the liver pathways, supporting digestion and the bowel and helping the body to repair and regenerate.

Naturopath Janne Ramsay

Janne Ramsay is a Naturopath at Mr Vitamins. She runs regular workshops on Digestion and Detox and has learnt from her clients the importance of preparing for a detox. If you would like to learn more join her as she takes you through an informative and fun presentation on the basics of healthy digestion. Learn more about Janne here Digestion and Detox programs are also offered via Skype appointments