Akasha's Guide To A Spring Cleanse - Practical Tips From Our Wellness Friends
Spring is officially here! Hello warm weather, flowers blooming and "Spring Cleaning". After the yin of Winter, of resting and rejuvenating, now is a great time to detox the mind and body, get the circulation moving, amp up the vitamin D and reconnect with nature. To make this transition easier for you, we've asked a bunch of our expert friends, from life coaches, to nutritionists, to yoga teachers, what their top tips are on how they Spring Clean their minds and bodies at this beautiful time of year.
Reconnecting with nature, green smoothies, lemon infused water and delicious yoga twists, what an amazing time of year! Read on for more:
Jade Aastha
Bodhi Alchemy | @bodhialchemy
"I find for me the best way to clear and cleanse my mind and body after a long day of teaching massage and yoga is to revitalize in the ocean. Being in nature, going for a walk, spending time at the beach in the water is undoubtedly the best way to maximise my wellbeing and freshen up my spirit. Even through winter, I managed to get in the water!!!"
Claudia Cartillone
@yogawithclaudia
"Jump in the ocean, stand barefoot on the grass and take one conscious breath, drink a green smoothie and unplug." One of Claudia's go to green smoothies includes pineapple, banana, mint, spirulina and water. Yum!
Rachel Huges
Natives Community | @nativescommunity
"I like to 'spring clean' every day - I find the best way to stay awake and aware is by taking small daily steps towards total body & mind health, I am all about prevention rather than reaction."
image via mindbodygreen Suzanne Clements
"What does this look like? Everyday I drink lemon water first thing in the morning (great for alkalizing the blood from anything acidic I ingest) I LOVE to sweat, at the gym, in a steam room, walking or riding my bike instead of using a car. I also practice grounding everyday, whether it's walking the puppy's or just taking a moment to reset and refill my own energy source. I recycle, I avoid plastic as much as I can & I constantly recycle my clothes with the local clothing exchange, instead of buying new."
"So in essence, if I am doing this every day, I won't ever have a build up of toxic waste or toxic energy."
Through daily holistic & sustainable habits, all humans can access a thriving quality existence in symbiosis with the planet. Spring Clean EVERYDAY."
Paula Bernardic
PB Success Coaching | @pbsuccess
"Spring Cleaning. It's easy to notice the clutter building up in our physical outer environment, but what about our inner world? When do you look at it, take stock and do a little reshuffling, culling and reorganising?
Brainstorm, write a list, draw a mind map of the things that really make your heart sing and give your life meaning. I mean really give your life meaning, not just the simple niceties or conveniences. Consider: If it ceased to exist would your life become less meaningful?
Once you have a list you will notice that the Values may cluster in themes. For example, you might discover you value Mindful Eating, Yoga, and Meditation
When you have a list of 5 or 10 of your highest Values you have your compass, your True North. Now it’s important to support, nurture and cultivate your Values.
Consider: What are you reading? Watching on TV? What conversations are you having with people? Who are you hanging out with? Where are you spending time and energy? What are you thinking about? How do these activities leave you feeling? How well are these activities suppressing or stimulating the expression and experience of your highest Values? If they are stimulating, keep going. If not, you may consider which changes could lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life."
To read Paula's complete (and amazing) guide on Spring Cleaning from the inside out for a most inspired and empowered life click here (we highly recommend it!)
Charmaine Alamein
Anjali Essential Oils | @anjaliessentialoils
"Spring clean your mind and body with essential oils.
For some of us, essential oils have become a part of our everyday life , but for others they may not realise how powerful essential oils can be for their everyday use.
Essential oils are gifts from the plant kingdom to us, and when they are pure and unchanged as ANJALI essential oils are, they have amazing healing properties.
Here are a few simple ways you can use essential oils daily to declutter and spring clean your mind and body.
Mind
Using citrus essential oils can have uplifting and positive results on our thinking and mind and can assist in boosting your mood.
Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Orange and Grapefruit are a few examples. You can use these essential oils in an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser for inhalation.
Rosemary essential oil can promote mental clarity and alertness and is also great for retaining and recalling information.
"Lemongrass essential oil is another bright and rejuvenating oil that can promote awareness and mental clarity."
Body
Daily we breathe in toxins and chemicals mostly without choice , our bodies don't need additional synthetic and chemical based products applied to the skin, our largest organ in the body ! Using essential oils can be enjoyable for their beautiful aroma and can also benefit our bodies.
Essential oils such as Frankincense and Myrrh have powerful anti-inflammatory and healing properties. These oils can be applied to the body with a carrier oil like, Jojoba, Rosehip oil. They also contain anti-ageing properties and when applied regularly to the face can deliver an improved skin condition.
Lavender essential oil is calming, soothing and relaxing and also has healing properties. Diffuse, apply to the skin with a carrier oil or add to a bath, or foot soak.
Geranium essential oil can improve skin condition and can also be supportive of our hormones and emotions. Diffuse or apply 1-2 drops to the face, neck and chest area with a carrier oil to feed and nourish skin and assist in balancing hormones and emotions.
We have discussed only a few examples of essential oils that can assist with daily health, aim to eliminate chemical based or synthetic products where you can and use essential oils daily and your body and mind will thank you for it."
Karina Pupo
The Yoga Movement | @theyogamovement
"Spring is a time for renewal and rebirth and for me it's a time for re-awakening from the winter slumber.
In this time of year I find time each day to slow down and meditate, to practice yoga regularly, to set daily intentions for myself (both outward intentions like act and speak out of love and inward intentions like go kindly on yourself).
In my yoga practice I love deep twisting, to cleanse and flush out the debris of the gut and allow fresh blood to flow. For my mind I meditate for 20 minutes each morning and 5 minutes each night before bed, mantra and practice gratitude.
I connect to the earth by going on long walks, getting to the beach and sitting in the sun without my phone. This is a great time to reconnect to yourself to start the development of something new. Dream big and make every single day an opportunity to move towards your goal. Now is the time for action!"
Shelley Keenan
Freedom Wellness | @freedomwellness
"This is my go-to Spring Clean recipe because it's jam packed with plenty of greens to nourish and recharge your body".
Serves 2 / Prep Time - 20 min / Cook Time - 15 min
Ingredients:
2 zucchinis
1 head of broccoli
4 brussel sprouts
1/2 cup olive oil
1 bunch or cup of basil leaves
2 tbsp savoury yeast flakes
2 tbsp pine nuts
pinch of salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven at 200 degrees.
Chop your broccoli into small florets and brussel sprouts in half. Drizzle in olive oil and place on a lines baking tray and bake for 15 mins or until crunchy.
Meanwhile add the olive oil, basil leaves, savoury yeast flakes and salt into a blender and blend until well combined.
Using your spiralizer, spiralize both zucchinis and place into a large bowl.
Add the baked broccoli and brussel sprouts and pour the pesto sauce over the top.
Stir through until vegetables are coated.
Place into a bowl and top with pine nuts and lime juice.
Notes:
You can heat or eat raw.
Add protein or leave as a meatless option.