Spring is upon us, but if the thought of pulling out your shorts and swimwear from the back of the wardrobe can make you feel a little queasy, it may be time to reassess a few dietary and lifestyle plans so when that sunshine does come out in all its glory you feel on top of the world both inside and out!

5 tips to help you get started

Boost your cruciferous vegetable intake: Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, chard, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and watercress will not only provide you with antioxidant support but will also enhance your mineral intake. Some are also part of the cruciferous family so adding these vegetables to your daily food intake will assist your detox pathway by clearing toxins out of the body through the liver.

Cut the caffeine, sugar and alcohol: Instead, kick-start your metabolism in the mornings with apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon in warm water and sip on herbal teas throughout the day. Cutting caffeine can be hard and if you’re one who can’t bear the thought of not having your daily latte, try switching to a Swiss-water decaf option and opt for only 1-2 per week. Pukka do a fantastic range of cleansing, detoxifying and nurturing teas and can be purchased from most health stores. Check out their range and find out where to buy them here.

Add a daily dose of milk thistle: Often used through detox programs to support and protect the liver against toxins such as alcohol and caffeine, milk thistle assists the body with removing these nasties from liver cells whilst protecting against free radical damage (which can injure healthy cells). Milk Thistle tea is readily available in health food sections.

Try dry skin brushing: With so much of the body’s toxins being excreted through the skin, dry brushing helps to stimulate movement through the lymphatic system and eliminate toxins that can become locked in the skins surface. Best practiced in the mornings before showering, you generally work from the feet up towards the heart in long strokes and from the hands upwards towards the heart.

Sweat it out: Just move. Try hot yoga, a sauna or a jog to get that heart rate up and body temperature rising. Sweating is an elimination process that helps to stabilise core temperature and assists with the removal of toxins from the body.

This article provides general information and is not intended to constitute advice. All care is taken to ensure information is accurate and relevant. Please see your Practitioner for health treatments and advice.