Currently, I am engaged in a transformational journey through cleansing. This is a cleanse led by Debby Andersen.
These are her words regarding the cleanse: “In Ayurveda, a daily routine is emphasized as a vehicle for optimal health. This is because a consistent routine supports the nervous system to relax. When the nervous system is relaxed, our digestion improves, our mind is clear, and we feel calm and peaceful. On the other hand, when our nervous system is not relaxed, our digestion is inhibited and our body and mind become anxious and unclear.
If this seems far-fetched to you, think about how young children react when their eating or sleeping schedule is thrown off: temper tantrums and crying fits. This is what your nervous system does as well—even though as adults we are much better at suppressing these reactions.”
What I love about doing the cleanse for the third time is that I get reconnected with myself. The cleanse eliminates choices and allows simplicity to create room for deeper self-care. Through the cleanse we have eliminated our habitual creature comforts of caffeine, sugar, and for those who imbibe alcohol. But don’t get me wrong—anyone can eliminate all sorts of things and still not cleanse. There is a whole process to the cleanse that involves eating and drinking certain foods in particular ways and there are also many self-care practices that allow a person a deeper connection to self. This cleanse is not harsh. It does not involve fasting or restricting food. This cleanse is about nurturing and supporting the body to heal itself. This is a self-awareness practice that, especially when practiced annually or biannually, can lead a person to a new level of awareness and health. For me, the cleanse is about peeling away layers to reveal more of my own essence.