Spring is the season when the longer days and warmer weather call for new rituals. In winter, we are often less physically active, and we don't go out much. We spend most of our time in enclosed spaces under artificial light (looking at screens and blue light). This is how our body can lose its balance and we are prone to more inflammation, free radicals and other toxins, we gain an extra kilogram or two, or we feel fatigued.
We suggest morning spring rituals that gradually and non-aggressively help our bodies to detox, help us to feel better, and have more energy:
1. Dry Brushing
Skin is our biggest organ and at the same time, we detox through our skin. Dry brushing is an old ritual used to increase circulation, stimulate the lymph, clean pores, and remove dead skin cells. Regular dry brushing shows increased blood flow, improved tension of the skin, reduced cellulite; at the same time, inflammation is reduced, and we help other organs that secrete extra substances reduce the burden when secreting toxins.
With the use of a brush with natural bristles, we brush the skin in the direction of the heart. We start from the feet towards our hips, then from the fingers towards the shoulders (including the armpits). We continue from the neck down and from the waist up towards the heart. If we can reach it, we can also brush from the neck down over the shoulder blades and from the pelvic region up towards the heart. We recommend that you start with a gentle and low intensity and then slowly intensify the brushing to avoid any skin damage (extra care for those with sensitive skin and skin problems). In addition, we can massage the lymph nodes and increase the cleansing of the lymphatic system. Afterward, we rinse the skin well in the shower, and if we want, we can moisten our skin with a natural lotion. The brush needs to be regularly cleaned with natural soap because otherwise, we will rub unnatural chemical substances into our skin.
2. Jal Neti Nasal Cleansing
This ancient yogi technique is used to thoroughly clean bacteria and mucus that accumulate in nasal passages, pharynx, and sinuses. This practice benefits everyone and, as a preventive measure, to those who have seasonal allergies or frequent respiratory problems (e.g., recurring colds, blocked nose, asthma, hay fever...), with inflammation of the inner ear, eyes, headaches, etc. Yogis use this technique before meditation, as the airways of both nostrils open - and such breathing regulates sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous systems and opens up our ability to absorb even more prana - life energy.
We boil the water (a half-liter), add a teaspoon of good quality salt, and cool to body temperature. We pour the solution into a special container (''neti pot''), then gently press the spout of the neti pot into one nostril, tilt our heads in the opposite direction and let the solution run and leave through the other nostril. We repeat the procedure with the other nostril. It is important that we thoroughly clean and wipe the nose, and the container should also be thoroughly disinfected and dried after each use.
*adjust the amount of salt if you feel uncomfortable burning.
3. Oil Pulling
This is a simple ayurvedic practice with a number of positive effects for our body - some people use it as a natural technique for teeth whitening and for protection against tooth decay, while others use it as a noninvasive method of detoxification (through this procedure, oil pulls the toxins out of our body, so it is very important that the oil is not ingested). Oil pulling is also recommended for people with frequent inflammation in their oral cavity, bleeding gums, or acne.
In the morning, on an empty stomach, we put ½ - 1 teaspoon of organic vegetable oil (we recommend raw coconut oil) into our mouths and swish it for 5 - 15 minutes. We must be careful that the oil doesn't go down our throat or trachea - we spit the whole amount into a trash can. Finally, we rinse our mouths with water and meticulously clean our teeth and brush our tongue.
4. Warm Water with Lemon
A warm beverage, drunk on an empty stomach, that hydrates and alkalizes us in the morning and stimulates our digestion. It also acts as a support for liver detoxification and helps with muscle or joint pain.
Regardless of the time of the year, you can introduce all or only one of the proposed rituals into your daily life; you can also introduce them gradually. It is important that you persist for a while and listen to your body – let it tell you how many times a week and what techniques are best for you. And spend as much time as you can in nature in the fresh air.
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