Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn! (For those of us in Australia that is!) Despite which part of the world you live, a change of Season marks the perfect time for a Health Tune-up or should I say, Health Tune IN. Whilst “Detox” becomes yet another $Cash Cow in the land of Health and Wellness, we can all benefit from doing one. But the type I’m referring to, is all about reclaiming your health and vitality for the long haul, and enhancing the other areas of your life (rather than being the time to give everything up, including the cash in your wallet).
So the number one question, is where do we begin? How do we choose what’s best for us before partaking in something that may do more harm than good? Before you act on anything (especially with regards to Health), it’s important to understand what the benefits are, and how it may affect you in the process. Whilst Cleansing and Detoxing can be very good for the body, having the knowledge to choose something safe is paramount. Over the coming weeks, I am embarking on my own cleanse, so to coincide will be covering a number of different topics involved in taking a more holistic (whole) approach. By incorporating actions to compliment all areas of our lives, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves. This first post is a brief overview regarding some of the things we need to consider, before making a good choice.
Is a “quick fix” ever really a fix?
Cleanses or Detoxes have been used since the beginning of time, to help the body heal itself and restore vitality. Nowadays however, living a fast paced existence, we are exposed to more stressors in our lives than ever before. Through the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the products we use, the medicines we take – our exposure to toxicity is endless. In addition to this, we are also exposed to a myriad of over the counter quick fixes, and miracle solutions all promising everlasting health and happiness.
Whilst Water Fasts, Restricting Calories or a diet of Lemon Juice and Maple Syrup might help you drop a few sizes, they do little in teaching you how to live a life of continued good health. Despite whether you feel good initially, the stress that these types of detoxes put you under, ultimately create ill health in the long run. They often do more harm than good. Drastic measures on an already stressed out body, need to be exercised with extreme caution. Not taking the time to thoroughly research these products, and the effect they will have on you, will only lead to disappointment.
Why detox?
Have you ever heard the term “you are what you eat “? Well here’s something even more important to remember… “You are what you absorb and assimilate”. True physical health starts from within – in the Gut specifically. In our quest for wellness, and/or weightloss, this is something commonly overlooked. It is imperative we maintain a symbiotic relationship between the fungus, bacteria and parasites in our body, as they determine how healthy we really are. Due to our exposure through our foods, and anti-biotics amongst other things, these organisms take over and cause all sorts of disease processes in our body once given the chance. Unless of course we bring them back into balance.
A Seasonal Approach
The more life speeds up, the more disconnected we become. With ourselves, our bodies, our food, friends, families, and our planet! We sit at computers to communicate. We substitute quality for convenience. We order cheap food-like things (from our expensive cars) from a drive-thru window! The beginning of the season is the perfect time to regain that connection and balance – physically, spiritually and emotionally – by looking a little broader than just eliminating offending foods and beverages (one huge reason why this type of cleanse will remain far superior to any detox kit you buy at the store). One good example of this is learning from Nature, particularly observing it’s cycles and rythms. By becoming more aware of the changes of seasons, the climate, the sun, the moon, and the foods in supply, the more in tune we can be with our own body.
The Symptoms and Benefits
Do you have trouble with…
- Flattening your abdominals?
- Constipation?
- Gas?
- Bloating?
- Heaviness?
- Lethargy after eating?
- Diarrhea (or any other digestive order)?
- Skin problems – Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema etc?
- Food sensitivities or Intolerances?
- Immune System Disfunction?
The above mentioned are symptoms of imbalances in the body. The results of the cleanse and the improvements you will experience, will help to turn those around to resemble more of this..
- give you an overall feeling of improved health
- increase your energy and vitality
- balance skin problems
- improve inflammation and allergic responses
- balance your digestive organs
- increase your immunity
- get in touch with the seasons
- get in touch with your cycles (women)
- ween yourself from sugar laden foods
I think it’s pretty safe to say, we can all benefit in one way or another. Whilst this type of cleanse may not be for everyone, if you’re looking to get serious about your health, are tired of the “this for that” band aid approach, and really want to get well, stay tuned for the next post as I discuss the process itself…
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