A spring cleanse is not a time of deprivation but an opportunity for space to reconnect with both body and mind and flourish – the perfect platform to realise how Daring & Mighty you really are!

The longer hours of sunlight and the budding daffodils of spring bring a natural resurgence of energy with it. The equinox that occurred last month, begins a natural energy shift that brings with it new life, new birth and the opportunity to rejuvenate our own biorhythms. Shedding off the darker and colder days of winter can make you feel physically and emotionally lighter.

A spring cleanse can optimize this time, and is in my view a better time than the January detox’s that have become so popular. Far from being a starvation diet, a spring cleanse is simply a way of lightening the load on the body and, albeit gentle, can be very deep, powerful and enjoyable. These are my foundation tips for a spring cleanse, which should last a minimum of 28 days to really reach a deep cleansing cellular level.

1. It is vital to remember that true cleansing is an art, not a 3 day juice fast. To do a sustainable, safe and effective cleanse choose a well researched liver and digestive cleanse supplement programme such as the Wild Nutrition’s TOTAL CLEANSE programme (Daily MultiNutrient, Antioxidant Boost and C&R (formally Cleanse & Regenerate). This comes with a 28 day food plan that can be downloaded from the Wild Nutrition website.
2. Avoid the non-nourishing foods such as sugar, alcohol and white flour products. Replace with non-gluten wholegrain’s (wholegrain rice, wholemeal flour, quinoa) and natural sugars (local or manuka honey)
3. Drink more filtered water, at least 8 glasses although not with meals (this dilutes the digestive juices). If you can, drink this water warm (by using part boiled water and part cold water) and good squeeze of fresh lemon. This encourages the movement of the lymphatic system as well as promoting toxic build up in the skin, kidneys and gut. This can encourage the break down toxic residue (and ensuing inflammation) and motivates the metabolism into action for the day.
4. Use a body brush before you step into the shower each morning. Use upward strokes until you get the level of your heart and downward strokes from the head down to your heart. Don’t scrub, just gently brush. This also gets the lymphatic system moving. If you like baths, you could even run a bath with some Epsom or Himalayan pink bath salts, to help draw out the impurities as well as be intensely relaxing!
5. Breakfast can be warm unsweetened stewed fruit with added spices such as ginger or cinnamon. Add some crushed linseeds and a drizzle of organic pouring yoghurt. If breakfast doesn’t take your fancy before work or the school run you could try whizzing up some crushed linseeds, some green leaves such as kale or spinach, some berries (frozen or fresh) and some almond or oat milk in a blender to take with you and sip during the morning.
6. Begin simple juicing to boost the rejuvenation of the body (sign up to the newsletter for monthly juice recipes). There is no need to buy an expensive juicer, you can simply add a gadget to your magi-mix if you have one or borrow one from a friend for a week. Alternatively there is now much better access to Juice Bars in shops such as Whole Foods that can meet your needs. Buy a book or use the internet for some recipes but beetroot, cabbage, celery, apple, pear, greens such as broccoli, spinach and chard have fabulous cleansing properties and are prolific at this time of year. As a general rule, as disgusting as it might look when throwing in all the veg, adding apple or pears to it will make it delicious. Aim to have a juice at least once per day.
7.  Aim for a rainbow of colour everyday, this can be easily achieved by juicing and soups. Tap into the spring energy by choosing seasonal veggies such as green leafy kale and celeriac and make great foundation stones for simple vegetable soups. Click here for info on what’s ‘in’ this season. Fruit or veg in the afternoon with a handful or nuts and seeds such as pumpkin seeds and almonds. Dinner could be some delicious roast vegetables, fish of your choice or organic poultry. Click here for some nourishing recipe inspiration.
8. A spring cleanse is also the opportunity to cleanse ourselves of stored emotions. Use this time to allow your self to feel and let go of whatever may come to the surface. Perhaps they are emotions you have consciously or unconsciously harboured over the last few months.
9. Enjoy the outdoors and make sure you take long walks taking in fresh spring air and soak up the greater access to vitamin D rich sunshine.

Henrietta Norton is an experienced Nutritionist specialising in women’s health and holds clinics in London and Sussex. She is the published author of Take Control of Your Endometriosis and Co-Founder of Food-State supplement brand Wild Nutrition.