Cleansing - Mind, Body & Soul
The new year can be a time for setting intentions and goals for the next 12 months. It’s also a time when we’re pressured to cleanse, restrict, exercise and diet. While having goals of becoming healthier isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the ways we’re encouraged to go about achieving them can be damaging physically and mentally. Some of the habits people pick up within the first month of the year tend to be too strict and most of the time only work temporarily.
But, if we approach cleansing from a mind, body and soul perspective, we can gain tools and habits that will seamlessly integrate into our lives for good. There’s much more to cleansing than just eating salads, drinking smoothies and working out for an hour everyday. There are simple tools that you can use daily that don’t involve restriction or exhaustive exercise. Things that will help cleanse not just your body, but your mind as well. Things that will help you feel your best emotionally and physically.
Journalling
Writing your thoughts and feelings down is an amazing way to reflect and let go of emotions that feel stuck in your body. When you write them down, it’s easier to understand your thoughts and be able to release them, instead of leaving them stagnant in your body.
Add Nourishing Foods
Instead of restricting all your favourite foods, switch your focus to adding nutrient-dense foods to your diet. Don’t tell yourself you can’t have pizza, french fries, pasta or sweets for the rest of the year…instead commit to cooking more plant-focused meals, trying new recipes of your favourite dishes that use whole food ingredients or adding a big bright salad to every meal. Even just the addition to fresh herbs and spices is an easy way to up the nutrient level of any meal you’re making.
Walking
You don’t need to commit to an hour of HIIT workouts everyday to feel healthier physically, simply walking more will do wonders for you. Walking will help clear your lymph and your mind, plus you’ll feel energized afterwords instead of drained like some workouts leave you. Bonus points if you can walk in nature, because there’s nothing more healing than mother nature.
Hydration
You’ve probably heard it a million times already, but for good reason. Water is cleansing, healing and supports every function in your body, and there’s a good chance you’re not getting enough of it. Eat more water rich fruits and vegetables, drink tons of water and sip on herbal tea during colder months to stay hydrated.
Breathwork
This is one thing that will honestly change your life. Breathwork increases blood oxygen levels, helps clear your lymph and will leave you feeling energized, clear and calm. There’s tons of different ways to practice, so dabble with different techniques until you find the ones that make you feel best.
Julia Gibson is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, functional foods recipe developer, and write currently based in Toronto. She hopes to inspire and empower others by creating nourishing foods, living a sustainable life, promoting holistic healing and sharing thoughtful writing.
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