I don’t know about the rest of you but for me, this winter was a bit rough. I felt very inward, and sickness seemed to be everywhere. I guess I can say that my social agenda was not one to brag about.
As always, nature has her cycles, and so do we. The snow is melting, the birds are chirping, the buds are showing and there are reminders everywhere that things are blooming. Internally, I am feeling the same way. I almost want to give myself a high-five and say, welcome back!
Spring is a beautiful time to reset everything and step out of the cave, to step out of the cocoon so many of us go into during the winter. Physically, mentally and energetically, we are awakening again.
I feel motivated to clean out the things in my home that I no longer use or need in order to make more fresh space. Connection with the world, the people in my life who bring me joy and make me smile is calling to me again. I feel the desire to make plans to do things that lift me up; get out into nature more regularly and breathe in that fresh air and sunshine. I crave the resetting of my body, to clear out the gunk and get this party started, literally!
With the warmer weather, we start craving different foods and an abundance of new foods are in season. Thank goodness. I personally find that after a certain amount of time, I get bored and need to mix it up. It is time for the hearty comfort foods to take a back seat and start pleasing our palates with things that are a bit lighter and fresher.
Things like asparagus, avocados (for me, I don’t know if these ever go out of season), broccoli, kale, radishes and strawberries, are all but a few examples.
If you enjoy detoxing and your body does well with it, this is a great time to do so. According to traditional Chinese medicine, spring is the time for rejuvenation and for new growth, it is the time to refresh ourselves and to cleanse the liver. If working with a naturopath or acupuncturist, certain herbs, specific foods or healing modalities may be recommended to support this process.
There are so many options when it comes to giving your body a break. If you feel this calling, I encourage you to do your research and figure out what most resonates with you as we are all bio-individual and there is a broad spectrum to choose from. Personally, I have recognized that my body does not do well on intense or drawn out detoxes.
Therefore, I like to keep it simple and completely eliminate toxins such as alcohol, sugar, caffeine and anything artificial, as well as anything that can be inflammatory, such as processed meats, dairy, wheat and other flour products. Realize that because of our bio-individuality, you may consider certain foods inflammatory that others do not. Fruit and vegetables in the night shade family are just one example of this.
I then pick a time frame where I know my schedule is open and stick to lean and healthy cuts of meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, teas, broths and lots of water. I also make sure that I am being gentle with myself; detoxing from not only foods but screens and intense physical exercise. I do like to take salt baths, gentle walks in nature, meditate, listen to calming music and just allow myself to be.
As I reset my body, my energy, my physical space, me, I feel strong and capable to create what is next with enthusiasm, vibrancy and vitality. I take care of my whole being. As I clean out the old on a physical, mental and energetic level, I allow for the new to come in and, it feels amazingly refreshing.
Jennifer Roe is a master level Red Hat Qigong practitioner, an integrative nutritional health and wellness coach, a facilitator of women’s circles, programs and more. For more information, visit www.thehealingroe.com.
