Cleansing the Body for the Summer, Inside and Out

Leaves have finally reappeared on trees, and the grass is so nice and green, it makes us want to lie down on it and spread our arms and legs. Summer flowers are blooming, and the birds are happily chirping.

As nature flaunts its freshly renewed foliage for the summer months, it should inspire us to do the same.

Summer is the perfect time to cleanse our body, inside and out, as we spend more time outside, and expose a little more skin to the world around us. Even though summer isn’t known for being a time where cols and flus are going around, it is important to take the opportunity to rebuild the strength of our immune system while protecting our hair, skin, and eyes from the deliciously warm, though harsh, summer sun.

Here are 4 tips to cleansing the body for the summer, from our hair, skin, and nails to our immune system and cells.

1. Outside: All-Over Exfoliation

Just like the trees lost their leaves only to renew them for fresh green ones, we can do something similar with our skin. We can use a DIY body exfoliant to get rid of dead skin cells and reveal fresh, smooth, moisturized, and supple skin.

Try this honey-sugar scrub 2-3 times a week as summer gets off to a good start. Whether you are a woman or a man, this exfoliant will make you feel great in your skin.

Honey-Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of almond or olive oil (almond oil smells better)
• ½ cup brown sugar (you can add more if you like a thicker scrub)

Directions

1. Warm the honey slightly in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
2. Stir in the oil, and then the brown sugar.
3. After you have showered, turn off the water, but stay in the tub.
4. Use the scrub all over your body, rubbing gently in a circular motion, when possible.
5. Relax on a stool and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
6. Rinse thoroughly, but don’t wash off with soap.

2. Outside: Use Organic SPF Moisturizer

After you have scrubbed away all of that dried skin and impurities, you want to keep your skin healthy and moisturized. A key part of this is preventing sunburn.

Pick a moisturizer with SPF (at least 15) to wear daily. Ideally, you will find an organic sunscreen that cuts out unnecessary ingredients and is GMO and cruelty-free.

3. Inside: Eat Tons of Fruits and Vegetables

Now is the time that local fruits and vegetables are in season. Fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that will keep your immune system healthy and help to rid your body of free radicals. Those with the most antioxidants include:

• Dark leafy greens, like kale, spinach, and arugula
• Berries, like blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and blackberries
• Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit
• Red vegetables, like tomatoes and red pepper 

4. Inside: Stay Active

Staying active throughout the summer is important for your overall health. Additionally, however, exercise helps to strengthen the immune system and rid the body of toxins. It also boosts our metabolism, keeping us feeling energetic. If you live in an area relatively clear of pollution, try doing your exercise outside to breath in fresh air, or take regular trips to the mountains or to the beach that are less affected by the city smog.

Without knowing it, our homes and offices become places that are plagued indoor air pollution, so taking our exercise outside can fill our bodies with fresh, pollution-free air.

Conclusion

The summer is a time where we enjoy the warm weather, wear lighter clothing, and enjoy the scenery in our free time. As the leaves and flowers show off their new colors, why shouldn’t we also take advantage of the season to cleanse our bodies? Follow the tips described above to cleanse our bodies inside and out.