Cleansing for a full mind and body detox
When I start to see the pussy-willows breaking out of their buds, I feel my spirit lift with the promise of spring renewal. I am ready to cleanse myself of the winter stagnation and inflammation. My personal spring cleanse helps me detoxify my body and reset irritability, digestive issues, sleep rhythms, energy levels, skin problems, and mind clarity.
During my years in naturopathic medical school I noticed that all the healthiest, most balanced and clear-eyed doctors were those who spoke of their commitment to twice yearly cleanses and regular water fasts. Being the go-getter I was, I developed an ambitious practice of regular cleanses and fasts. These practices helped me bring a higher level of conscious choice-making in my life. It became easier and easier over time to know confidently what I needed in order to feel healthy. The rewards were so obvious.
Since my studies, I have not always been surrounded by a community who supports a cleansing lifestyle. Cleansing alone can be a drag- especially when the temptations of libations and indulgence are so alluring. In many friend and family groups, cleansing or detoxing can feel unrealistic, self-punishing, or extreme. I am grateful that my vocation brings me in contact with people who are willing to take the challenges to enhance health and high-energy living. I am glad to be ready for another cleanse!
I want to invite you to join me in my 14 day guided cleanse this year, but first I’ll share about why I do it, what is happening when we cleanse and how to prepare the body for improved detoxification.
Why do we cleanse?
Our bodies love all the help we can get in dealing with persistent toxin exposure. As environmental challenges increase, so do chronic and infectious diseases. With age, we are dealing with higher exposures, but our bodies are slowing down in their ability to detoxify. Our need for increased cleansing practices is becoming more obvious.
Toxins come in many forms. Certain plastics can stay in our body for 2-10 years. A study showed that we each consume about a credit card worth of plastic each week. Imagine- the same problem that is polluting our oceans is slugging down our system! Further, we all have accumulated long term exposure to pesticides, which can decrease our methods of detoxification, cause ADHD, and are directly linked to cancer development. Drugs are another challenge- commercially available marijuana, alcohol, simple painkillers (NSAIDS)- all can damage our detoxification systems in even small amounts. Cleaning supplies- including bleach- can be considered dangerous. Beauty supplies are full of phthalates which lead to autism, allergies, mood disorders- all this introduces increased need for detoxification.
It starts to feel overwhelming when we think about how polluted our bodies and earth have become. I believe cleansing and education on self care is the answer for a healthy future.
What is happening in our body when we cleanse?
A cleanse program supports our body to better release environmental toxins. Without detox efforts, our detox pathways shift to adjust to our environmental exposures and habits of indulgence. These shifts and adaptations can result in build up of inflammation in our body that result in pain, headaches, brain fog, hormone imbalance, weight gain and chronic disease (neurological diseases, Diabetes, etc). A cleanse can begin to recharge those release pathways. It also gives us the opportunity to assess our habits and take a break from inflammatory practices.
How to prepare our body for improved detox?
Our first step with a cleanse is to make sure we are drinking enough water (60+ ounces daily) and eating enough fiber (30+ grams daily). We must give all those toxins a way to get out of the body before we amp up the cleansing action of the liver and kidneys. We also need to decrease use of alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods. Food during a cleanse should be organic as much as possible (see the environmental working group guide to the foods that should always be organic- the Dirty Dozen). The next step is to add in the cleansing herbals. Carefully selected herbals can allow the liver and kidneys to better transform toxins so that they can be released from the body.
The 14 day cleanse guided by Dr. Sunshine
In the two week cleanse program I’m leading this year, I’ll be starting now- with the increased water and fiber intake. Then, in the first two weeks of April, we’ll add in 2 nutritious meal replacement shakes a day plus herbs, physician-grade supplements, antioxidants and extra amino acids to support healthy detoxification. I’ll also include one meal a day that consists of anti-inflammatory foods without gluten, dairy, caffeine, or sugar. We will discuss menu options in our group meetings.
Here is what the Shine Cleanse Kit includes…
4/ 45m zoom group support and education meetings with Dr. Sunshine
Physician-grade supplements to support healthy detoxification
Detailed cleanse guide with supplement schedule + App access
Delicious meal replacement shake powders for 2 weeks (2 meals a day)
One healthy meal plan a day (anti-inflammatory foods)
Mind body self care practices
If you are ready to join me for a spring renewal, I invite you to sign up here.
It’s important that we prepare our mind and body before a cleanse and reflect throughout the process so that we reap all of the benefits. Our cleanse will start with an initiation class to prepare us for 2 weeks of cleansing. Sound sleep and healthy bowel movements are two of the most important aspects of an effective cleanse. If you’re needing help with either of these, please schedule with me so we can prepare you for your spring detox.
You gotta start somewhere.
Many of us have a natural intuition about when it is time to cleanse. We might want support to cut back on wine, lose weight, or make a little more space to assess habits of negative thinking. A cleanse can include anything as simple as taking a break from drinking or social media scrolling to as more involved as eating special smoothies or water fasting.
Whether it is your time to join a full cleanse or if you are only just cleanse-curious…I suggest that you welcome in the change of season by following 3 simple practices:
Drink 60-70 ounces of water every day.
Increase your vegetables to 5 vegetable servings daily.
End your hot showers with a cold water rinse.
If you are interested in joining me for a 14 day guided cleanse, check out the program here and sign up today.
Sources:
Plastic Hazard: https://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/plastic_ingestion_web_spreads.pdf
Pesticide and cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946087/
Pesticides and ADHD: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20478945/
Beauty Products Yuck: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16263507/
Pizzornos Book: The Toxin Solution