Spring Cleansing: Detoxing Your Body, Mind & Spirit

As the seasons change, our bodies, minds, and spirits naturally crave renewal. Spring offers the perfect opportunity to reset, realign, and cleanse on multiple levels. Just like nature wakes up after winter, we, too, can use this time to clear out toxins, old habits, and stagnant energy. A true spring detox isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about cleansing your whole life.

Why is it Important to Spring Clean?

Spring is a season of renewal and rebirth, mirrored in nature as flowers bloom, trees bud, and the earth awakens. Just as the world around us transitions, so too does our body, mind, and spirit—making spring the perfect time for cleansing and rejuvenation.

A Season of Renewal Across Cultures & Traditions

For centuries, cultures and healing traditions have recognized spring as a time for cleansing, both physically and spiritually. Many religious observances, like Lent and Passover, emphasize reflection, purification, and preparation for new beginnings. As Pope Francis once said, “Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.”

In Pagan traditions, the spring equinox symbolizes fertility and new opportunities—planting seeds for future growth. Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views spring as the season of the liver, the body's master detoxifier. This philosophy aligns with the Ayurvedic perspective, which associates spring with the Kapha dosha, a time when the body tends to accumulate heaviness and stagnation, making cleansing essential for restoring balance.

Why is Spring the Ideal Time to Detox?

Our bodies naturally follow seasonal rhythms, and spring provides the optimal conditions for detoxification. After a long winter of heavier foods and less movement, it's time to lighten up, energize, and refresh from the inside out.

  • Physical Renewal: In TCM, the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi (energy) throughout the body. When it’s functioning well, digestion, detoxification, and emotional balance thrive. Spring is the ideal time to support the liver and enhance overall well-being.
  • Spiritual Cleansing: Just as we declutter our homes, spring invites us to clear away negativity, release what no longer serves us, and embrace a fresh start.
  • Emotional & Mental Clarity: Detoxing isn't just about food—it’s about resetting habits, thoughts, and patterns that may be holding us back.

The Cycles of Cleansing: A Metaphor for Renewal

Our bodies mirror nature’s cycles. Just as a woman’s menstrual cycle includes phases of renewal and release, the seasons also reflect these patterns. Spring aligns with the follicular phase—a time of growth, strength, and new energy. It’s the perfect opportunity to shed the old and step into a renewed sense of vitality and purpose.

By aligning with the rhythms of the season, we can harness spring’s energy to cleanse, refresh, and set the foundation for a vibrant year ahead.

How to Detox the Body?

Spring is the perfect time to reset and rejuvenate, and one of the best ways to do that is by supporting your body’s natural detox processes. Here’s how to start with simple changes:

1. Cleanse Your Diet 

Winter can leave us craving heavier, comforting foods, but spring is the perfect time to focus on lighter, nutrient-dense meals that support detoxification. Here’s how to refresh your diet:

  • Prioritize liver-loving foods: Dandelion greens, beets, turmeric, garlic, and cruciferous veggies (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale) help support liver function and natural detox pathways.
  • Increase hydration: Water helps flush toxins out of your system. Add lemon, chlorophyll drops, or a pinch of sea salt for an extra mineral boost.
  • Incorporate cleansing herbs: Milk thistle, burdock root, and nettle tea help support detoxification.
  • Eat fiber-rich foods: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, and leafy greens keep digestion moving and eliminate waste efficiently.
  • Reduce inflammatory foods: Cut back on processed sugars, refined oils, and alcohol, which can overload the liver and slow down detox pathways.

2. Support Lymphatic Drainage & Circulation

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in detoxification, but it needs movement to function efficiently. Try:

  • Dry brushing before showers to stimulate circulation and exfoliate dead skin cells.
  • Rebounding on a mini trampoline to get lymph flowing.
  • Lymphatic drainage massage or gua sha to encourage fluid movement.
  • Hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold showers) to improve circulation.

3. Sweat It Out 

Sweating is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins. Boost detox through:

  • Infrared sauna sessions to promote deep sweating and toxin release.
  • Regular movement and exercise to get your blood pumping.
  • Hot yoga or steam baths for an extra detoxifying sweat session.

How to Detox Your Mind?

Detoxing isn’t just for the body—your mind needs a refresh too! Clearing mental clutter and creating mindful routines can help you feel more focused, energized, and at peace. Here’s how to get started:

1. Declutter Your Mental Space 

Just like a cluttered home can create stress, mental clutter can weigh us down. Spring is a great time to:

  • Journal daily to clear out lingering thoughts.
  • Set boundaries with technology—reduce screen time and take breaks from social media.
  • Do a brain dump each night to release worries and organize your thoughts.

2. Upgrade Your Morning & Evening Routines 

Create space for mental clarity by adjusting your routines:

  • Start your mornings with mindfulness: Meditation, deep breathing, or gratitude journaling sets the tone for the day.
  • End your day with intentional wind-down time: Ditch screens an hour before bed and replace them with reading or light stretching.

3. Reduce Mental Toxins 

  • Limit negative influences: Be mindful of the content you consume—curate your social media feed and news intake.
  • Practice mindfulness: Bring awareness to the present moment and let go of worry about the past or future.
  • Declutter your to-do list: Focus on what truly matters and let go of unnecessary obligations.

How to Spiritual Cleanse? Reconnecting with Faith and Purpose

While physical and mental detoxes are essential, spiritual cleansing is just as vital for true renewal. When we feel spiritually stagnant, it can manifest as a sense of emptiness, confusion, or a loss of direction. Spring offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with what matters most—our values, faith, and sense of purpose.

The Symbolism of Easter and Passover

Many springtime spiritual traditions reflect this theme of renewal and liberation:

  • Easter celebrates resurrection and rebirth—inviting us to let go of what no longer serves us and step into a fresh start.
  • Passover commemorates freedom and deliverance, a powerful reminder to break free from what enslaves or limits us—whether it's fear, addiction, or old patterns.

These holidays symbolize the very essence of spiritual cleansing: releasing burdens and stepping into a new season of hope, clarity, and intention.

Ways to Cleanse Spiritually

  • Release Toxic Habits
    Let go of addictions, harmful behaviors, or relationships that drain your energy or disconnect you from your highest self. Replace them with nourishing practices like prayer, meditation, journaling, or acts of service.
  • Forgiveness and Healing
    Forgiveness is a powerful act of spiritual detox. Holding onto resentment or bitterness weighs us down emotionally and, over time, can even impact our physical health. By forgiving others—and ourselves—we create space for peace, healing, and spiritual freedom.
  • Letting Go for Lightness
    Unforgiveness can act like an emotional toxin, taxing both the heart and even the body. Letting go is not about forgetting or condoning, but about freeing yourself from emotional heaviness so you can move forward with clarity and grace.

Detoxification goes beyond just the physical—true renewal comes from cleansing the body, mind, and spirit. By addressing all three aspects, we create space for greater clarity, balance, and overall well-being. Here’s how a holistic approach to cleansing can support your transformation this spring.

How to Spring Clean Your Life?

Spring isn’t just a time to clean out closets—it’s an opportunity to refresh every area of your life. By decluttering your space, reassessing your priorities, and setting clear intentions, you create room for growth, alignment, and renewed energy. Here’s how to spring clean your life from the inside out:

  • Declutter your home: Donate unused items, clear out old paperwork, and refresh your living space.
  • Reassess your commitments: Say no to what no longer aligns with your values and make space for what encourages you.
  • Set new intentions: What do you want to bring into this new season? Write it down and make it happen!

Spring is a time of growth, renewal, and fresh starts. By cleansing your body, mind, and spirit, you create space for vibrant health, clarity, and alignment.

Take small steps, stay consistent, and enjoy the process. Here’s to a lighter, brighter you this spring!

Dr. Josh Axe

Dr. Josh Axe DNM, DC, CNS, is a certified doctor of natural medicine, doctor of chiropractic, clinical nutritionist and founder of one of the largest natural health websites in the world, draxe.com. He is the founder of The Health Institute, bestselling author of Eat Dirt and Ancient Remedies, and the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition and founder of Leaders.com.