But with spring comes more activity, feeling lighter and brighter and often the desire to “shed some pounds.” To spring clean your body, give it a break from rich and complicated foods by either cleansing or fasting for a short period of time. Cleansing means paring down your food to just simple fruits and vegetables, lots of water and perhaps whole grains. Fasting means limiting most foods and drinking lots of water, fresh vegetable and fruit juices, teas and soups. Without much energy going towards digestion, more energy is available to the rest of your body and mind. Cleansing and fasting can sharpen your concentration, help you gain insight and promote spiritual awareness. It can also lead to improved immune function, better digestion and better absorption of nutrients.

The beauty of cleansing or fasting is that it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money, but rather, some basic preparation and a desire to make some changes. What’s the best way to approach it? Here are a few ideas:

• choose simple low stress foods that don’t require a lot of preparation
• choose a week when your schedule is less busy and you can focus on enhancing your health
• buddy up with a friend or spouse to do a cleanse or fast, supporting each other in getting healthier
• be open to all the possibilities that exist as a result of lightening your load

Taking the time to slow down, reflect and do some spring cleaning – whether in your home, your heart or your stomach – can give you a new perspective in many aspects of your life. Just like spring, why not start anew?