As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate and detoxify your body. Here are some tips to kickstart your resolutions.

1. Morning Elixir: Start your day with a cup of hot filtered or spring water, the juice of half a lemon, and a couple of pinches of cayenne pepper. This drink will stimulate your digestion and enhance your circulation.

2. Contrast Showers: An old naturopathic hydrotherapy technique, alternating between hot showers and cold rinses can stimulate circulation, boost your immune system, and detoxify your skin. It’s a refreshing way to begin your day, especially on chilly December mornings!

3. Get Moving: Jumping on a trampoline for a few minutes can stimulate your entire body and aid your lymph drainage system. If you don’t have a trampoline, jumping in place works too. This can be particularly helpful if you suffer from allergies or cysts.

4. Relaxing Baths: In the evening, unwind with a warm bath and a cup of Epsom salts. To increase the detoxifying effects, enjoy 2 to 3 cups of hot tea while soaking to work up a sweat. Try a homemade brew of fresh ginger slices and dried yarrow flowers, known for their sweat-inducing properties.

5. News Detox: Take a break from news and other potentially upsetting information for 3 to 7 days. Swap out these stressors for deep breathing, relaxing activities like walking or yoga, or reading a book. It’s a great way to give your mind and body a much-needed rest.

6. Nature Time: Step away from your usual indoor routine and spend some time in nature. Whether it’s a favorite spot or somewhere new you’ve been wanting to visit, bring a journal and tune into what your body is telling you. The negative ions in nature can have a positive effect on your mood, helping you de-stress and tap into your body’s inherent wisdom.

7. Tea Detox: For a week, limit your beverages to water and herbal teas. This can relieve your kidneys, flush out retained fluid, and help purify your blood and liver. Aim for 6 to 8 cups a day of detoxifying tea made from burdock root, yellow dock root, dandelion leaf and root, licorice root, fennel, and ginger. This tea can help replace less healthy drinks, curb your appetite, and cleanse your liver and kidneys.

8. Food Routine Revamp: Many of us unknowingly eat foods that trigger allergic reactions or increase toxins, leading to symptoms like arthritis, headaches, water retention, and fatigue. Common culprits include gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and sugar. Try eliminating these foods, or at least the ones most prevalent in your diet. By replacing gluten-containing foods with alternatives like brown rice, millet, or quinoa, you can diversify your diet and potentially improve your health.

9. Dinner Detox: For a week, enjoy simple dinners of liver-detoxifying steamed vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, artichokes, beets, and onions, paired with a 4-ounce portion of protein like wild fish, organic lean meats, or lentils, prepared with a touch of olive oil.

10. Environment Detox: Declutter and organize your surroundings to clear stagnant energy and free yourself physically and emotionally. Discarding unused papers, clothes, and boxes can create space and invite fresh energy.

By adopting healthy habits and prioritizing our wellness, we can inspire others to do the same. Just as we maintain our cars and recycle for the environment, we should regularly cleanse our bodies. Our bodies and the environment reflect each other – as we cleanse ourselves, we contribute to a cleaner world. If we all committed to this, imagine how much healthier our world could be!