Spring has sprung and that means it is time for some spring cleaning. We here at Symmetry like to put our own twist on the tradition of spring cleaning. Did you know that you can spring clean your body? Now that the weather is improving (we hope), it is the perfect time to cleanse your body of all of those toxins you may be holding onto after the winter holidays. What better way to kick off the season than to detoxify?  We are here to help with a few special add-ons, massages, and recipes to get your body ready for all of those upcoming outdoor activities.

Toxins are all around you and you may not even realize that they are affecting you. Toxins can come from the air you breathe, drinks you enjoy throughout the day, and even your soap or shampoo. Toxins are any foreign chemicals or substances that the body cannot digest on its own such as nicotine, caffeine, airborne pollutants, chemical residues on foods, and many more. The good news is that your body has natural filtration systems such as your kidneys, liver, lymphatic system, and sweat glands to help you flush harmful toxins, but sometimes these systems need a little boost from the outside world.  Even an extremely healthy person can’t eliminate all toxins on their own. So how do you know when your body needs a little extra outside help? Here are some common signs that you may be storing excess toxins in your body: bloating, fatigue, skin rash, weight gain, food cravings, mental confusion, puffiness or bags under the eyes, and poor circulation.

Did you know that detoxification has been in practice for thousands of years across many cultures? Ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have practiced detoxification for centuries. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners used herbs such as ginger, dandelion, and fennel to cleanse and detoxify the body while Ayurvedic medicine utilized certain yoga poses to aid in digestion and the flushing of toxins. Yoga is an exercise that can aidein detoxification by placing your body in different positions that can help to reboot your digestive system and increase the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid. Try utilizing poses like bridge, cat cow, reverse triangle, downward facing dog, and child’s pose to “wring out” your intestines and aid in your digestive process. Never tried yoga before? Let us help you start with a Thai Yoga massage. Often referred to as “the lazy man’s yoga,” Thai Yoga massage is a passive yoga session done on a comfortable floor mat. You just lay back and allow our therapists to position you into yoga poses that will help ease your muscular tension and improve digestive function.

Eliminating toxins through your pores is another great way to detoxify your system, this is why we sweat. Sweating is your body telling you it needs to cool down. When you sweat, your internal temperature rises, along with your metabolism, and water is pulled from your muscles and internal organs to be pushed out through your pores and evaporate on the skin’s surface. When water is pulled from your internal organs and muscles, the toxins stored in them are naturally carried out as well. Although we love the benefits of working out and building up a good sweat through sports or exercise, our favorite way to sweat is with an herbal steam treatment. Our herbal steam treatment allows you to experience a sauna-like effect before your massage. Our therapists will secure a steam tent over the table that allows steam infused with essential oils and herbs to engulf your body while your head remains relaxed and cool outside the tent. Your pores will eliminate toxins while you receive a relaxing facial massage. Afterward, allow our signature Symmetry 360 full body massage to fully relax and destress you.

Lymphatic drainage is an extremely light pressure massage designed to help the flow of lymph fluid through the body. This modality is extremely beneficial for those who have health issues, such as diabetes or cancer, which may cause lymph fluid to be slow or blocked in the body.

Dry brushing uses a soft bristled brush to promote the flow of lymph fluid towards the lymph nodes to be filtered out. It is also beneficial for skin exfoliation and rejuvenation as well as cellulite reduction.

We are also pleased to announce that we will be offering Ayurvedic body treatments performed by our very own Megan Christensen LMT. Read more about this treatment that restores body and mind here. Ayurvedic Body Treatment

Detoxing doesn’t just mean eliminating things from your body, you can also detoxify by adding in healthy nutrients to refuel your body. Broccoli can help to clean your lungs and regenerate healthy tissues, carrots are good for your eyes, cilantro can increase liver function, and coconut water rehydrates your skin and muscles. Milk thistle, dandelion root, beets, seaweed, and green tea are all great for detoxification. Make sure you are also drinking plenty of water to help your kidneys filter at top performance. Some things to avoid when fully detoxing your body: sugar, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and saturated fats. Several doctors, nutritionists, and naturopaths recommend a seven-day detox program to eliminate enough toxins from your system in order to see a decrease in symptoms, but even just adding extra fresh, healthy foods to your diet can make a huge difference in your overall health. Try one of our detox-friendly recipes below to see if it helps you feel fresh and renewed for the warmer days ahead.

Healthy cleansing green smoothie:

1-2 cups of fresh spinach or a mix of spinach and mixed greens (organic is preferred)

½ cup of pineapple (fresh or frozen)

½ cup of raspberries (fresh or frozen)

3 Tbsp of hemp seeds (hemp hearts)

1 cup of non-dairy milk (almond or coconut are best)

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Strawberry, Thyme, and Cucumber Infused Water:

4 cups of purified water

1 small cucumber, sliced

5 or 6 fresh strawberries, sliced

2 sprigs of fresh time

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and allow to infuse overnight. You can enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of this fresh, cooling drink all season long.

Cucumber, Green Apple, and Rosemary Detox Water:

4 cups of purified water

1 medium cucumber, sliced

1 small green apple, sliced

1 sprig of fresh rosemary

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and allow to infuse overnight. This is a great post-workout drink.