Stay in the Wellness Loop | Health and Wellness Articles

Dr. Kathleen Mercer BSc ND

Health For Life

 

Autumn brings with it inspiration for change.  We clean and refresh our homes and yards and wardrobes.  We are drawn to clear out Summer and make way for all that Autumn and Winter brings – festivities, warm clothing, and a long season of cold weather.  Our metabolism will change with the seasonal changes and it’s a good time to use this shift in energy to cleanse and detox the body.

While there are many general ideas of how to support the body to cleanse, I do think it is a good idea to meet with a Naturopathic Doctor or other well trained health care practitioner to help develop a cleanse that is suitable for each situation.  As a Naturopathic Doctor, I would consider your health history, your family history, your current health and overall lifestyle to develop the best cleanse for you.  Medications are always a concern while cleansing because as we detox, metabolism and absorption of medications may change, therefore working with a professional who knows you personally is very important.

 

Autumn cleansing can include a combination of therapy choices using food changes and restrictions, body therapy, hydrotherapy, cardiovascular exercise and Yoga and mediation, just to name a few.  I encourage my patients to journal and be creative during this time.  Some of my favourite cleansing plans will include juicing, skin brushing, using herbal medicine to encourage liver, kidney and bowel cleansing, eating a prescribed diet to match each individual and lots of sweating.  I encourage people to get ample fresh air and morning light along with encouraging the shedding and letting go of any mental, emotional and spiritual toxicity.

 

So, I wish for this Autumn that you get inspired and begin to cleanse in even the smallest of ways.  Some tips to get started: begin your day with some deep breathing exercises, go to the window and welcome the daylight as you set your intention for the day ahead, have some lemon, lime or apple cider vinegar in your water before you eat breakfast, increase your dark leafy greens, make a veggie juice or a smoothie, increase your daily water to 2 litres per day, sweat for 30 minutes each day and at the end of your shower, turn your water to cold for 30 seconds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mercer can work with you to develop a cleanse that best matches you and work with you in person or online which can include weekly check-ins to help guide and make changes where needed during your detox.  To set up appointments, please call 709.722.4232.

 

 

Kathleen Mercer is a Licensed Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

 

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