It’s now been a few days since I embarked on my 21 Days of Sugar Detox/ Spring Cleanse and I am already feeling so many benefits to this journey. In order to convince you to try one, I have compiled a short list of reasons why a spring cleanse can be beneficial to you too. Indeed, many of you might be wondering: “Why embark on a cleanse anyways”? Well, today I am sharing with you: 5 reasons why doing a cleanse is good for you.

WARNING: Before you we get into those, I need to put a disclaimer in this post. Detoxes have become very popular and therefore you can find all kinds of cleanses online and in health food stores/pharmacies nowadays. Please do your research and/ or consult a health care practitioner to make sure you have the proper guidance and assistance during your cleanse! Detoxing can be very beneficial for your body – when done right! Be very careful when choosing your cleanse or detox. 

Okay, now let’s get back to today’s topic: 5 reasons why doing a cleanse is good for you.

Whether you decide to do a gentle and short 3 day cleanse or a full-on 21 days sugar detox, you are guaranteed to reap many health benefits – some of which you may not necessarily have anticipated. Of course, if this is the first time, again please make sure that a health care practitioner is following you to get the proper assistance and advices throughout your cleanse.

Now, let’s get into:

5 Reasons Why Doing a Cleanse is Good For You

1. You get rid of omnipresent toxins

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the truth is that you are constantly surrounded by toxins and pollutants. There is pollution in the air that we breathe, in the products we use to clean our homes and bodies (unless you have use clean beauty as advised: here), in the food that we consume, and even in our homes. You can definitely work on reducing your exposure to toxins but you can not really escape them (even your own body produces metabolic toxins). Hence why a seasonal detox/ cleanse is an excellent way to help your body get rid of some of these absorbed toxins.

2. You give your digestive system a much-needed break

Most cleanses and detoxes are based on avoiding junk foods and allergens. Some even ask you to forego solid foods all together (i.e. juice cleanses – again consult a health care practitioner if you choose the latter). These cleanses may seem very extreme and restrictive at first, but soon you get used to them and you eventually feel the benefits on your digestion. Problems such as gas, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, and irritation can all be reduced (if not completely eliminated) via a cleanse. Indeed, during a detox, there is less of a burden on your digestive system and you allow your body to get busy with other important biochemical processes, such as detoxification and rejuvenation.

3. You get more energy & a better sleep

Nutrition and most particularly the kinds of foods that you choose to eat will greatly influence your energy levels throughout the day and sleep at night. The heavier you eat and the more sugary foods you consume, the more likely you are to experience severe mid-afternoon crashes and/or poor sleep. That’s because these kinds of foods are very taxing on your digestive system and require a lot of “work” to be processed by your body.

Removing sugar-loaded foods and most common food allergens (i.e. gluten, dairy, soy, and sugar) from your diet for a period of time can go a long way in terms of giving you more energy and definitely better sleep. Test it out.

4. You experience a new sense of clarity

For many people, food and emotions go hand in hand. We eat when we want to celebrate, when we are depressed, bored, scared, … Emotional eating is a real issue and one great way to break through it is to try a cleanse. Through the removal of your favourite “comfort” foods, you learn to make healthier eating choices and you find new ways to cope with your emotions (e.g. daily movement, a new hobby, or socializing).

Moreover, the kinds of foods that we crave when we are emotional (sugary, salty, and usually fatty too) are known to make our minds foggy and unclear. Once you go through a cleanse, you start to see things in a different light  – the fog lifts up and you get a new sense of clarity. How refreshing is that?!

5. You access a new level of creativity

When you go through a cleanse, you are forced out of your comfort zone. It can be annoying and uncomfortable at first but then when you push through, you reach a new level of creativity. You start thinking of different ways to prepare your foods. And you inevitably try new recipes – better yet you may even create your own! Creativity will not just stop in the kitchen, it will also expand to other areas of your life. Again, give it a try and see for yourself.

I strongly suggest you try a cleanse at least once this year. It could be a 1 day juice cleanse, a 1 week without dairy & gluten, or even a 21 days without sugar. There are many combinations out there. Once you have done your research and have been advised by a health care practitioner or nutritionist, I am positive that you, too, will be convinced that doing a cleanse is good for you.

 

If you are already used to cleanses, which one is your favourite?

As always, stay vibrant.

Sarah.