Have you been feeling a little blah lately? Tired of the run-around, never-ending chaos, and tired of just being tired all the time? It may be time for a gentle reset. Not the big, buzzy kind you see all over social media. Those are often band-aids and quick fixes that leave us feeling overwhelmed if we’re not careful.
Restrictive diets and intense cleanses are totally valid for certain people in certain circumstances. They aren’t without their merits. However, used incorrectly or when not necessary, they can backfire and overburden an already stressed nervous system. They can leave you feeling physically and emotionally depleted.
You don’t have to do a major cleanse or a complete lifestyle overhaul to accomplish what a gentle reset can do for you. You just need a little focus and intention to turn things around.
What is a Gentle Reset?
A gentle reset means emphasizing peace over performance. It’s a way to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit, without having to follow strict rules or deprive yourself. This is an opportunity to think about what truly nourishes your soul and make space for it. And in the meantime, to work on stabilizing your body in a way that is not only fruitful, but sustainable. Real food, deep rest, and intentional presence should be the framework for a gentle reset that allows you to breathe new life into weary bones.
Nutrition for a Gentle Reset
Nourishing your body with fuel that makes you feel good is the first step to a gentle reset that works. This isn’t about restricting or taking things out of your diet so much as it is about adding in real food that nourishes. Your meals should be filled with food that brings life to your body. Think whole fruits and veggies, and high-quality protein like beef and fish. The gut and mind are connected by the vagus nerve, and what happens in one affects the other. In fact, it affects the whole body. For a healthy mind, you want to start with a healthy digestive system and deeply nourished cells. Without those two things, everything else will be an uphill battle.
- Hydrate: Start your day with lukewarm lemon water, and drink alkaline water and herbal teas throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Whole foods: Consume plenty of lightly cooked or fermented veggies, whole raw fruits, clean proteins, and healthy fats (butter, ghee, tallow, lard, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil).
- Digestion: Practice mindful eating by chewing slowly and enjoying every bite. Begin each meal with gratitude and a few deep, centering breaths.
It’s ok to indulge a little during a reset. But cutting back on certain things like sugar and alcohol will undoubtedly help, as they are inflammatory to the body. The key is to listen to your body and do what it asks of you. There is a time and place for everything.
Faith and Inner Stillness
Nourishing your spirit is as important as nourishing your body for a gentle reset. If you’ve been feeling distant, overwhelmed, and like you’ve abandoned your true self, take the time to reel it all back in. Take a deep breath. And make time for stillness.
- Think about creating a daily routine or incorporating some time to reset spiritually
- Quiet time: Try journaling, Scripture meditation, or prayer first thing in the morning
- Look inward: Ask yourself what clutter (mental, emotional, or spiritual) needs cleaning?
- Wind down: Take time to end your day with a routine that is relaxing and nurturing, such as meditating, listening to worship, or partaking in a cozy hobby.
You don’t have to earn the privilege to slow down and be silent. It’s a necessary part of stewarding the temples we’ve been given on this journey.
Rhythms of Rest
A gentle reset doesn’t have to be a one-stop deal. It’s not “cleansing your life” so you can get back to what you were doing. It’s about incorporating ways to truly nourish your body and nurture your soul. Establishing new routines that bring peace and health to the center of your life. Take this time to create a new way of life that prioritizes your health through daily rhythms of rest and support. Include activities like:
- Gentle movement: Walks, dancing, stretching, swimming.
- Rest: Prioritize deep sleep through good sleep hygiene.
- Digital detox: Put away screens for a few hours a day.
- Creating margin in your day: Hustle less and be more present.
Carry these habits into the following months and notice how they make you feel.
Detox Holistically without a Cleanse
Our bodies are designed to detox on their own. It’s true that we might benefit from help sometimes, but ultimately, if you give the body what it needs, it should do the job just fine. However, to help it along naturally without interference from supplements or intense protocols, there are some things you can do, such as:
- Dry brushing
- Epsom salt baths (or foot baths)
- Deep breathing
- Staying hydrated
- Daily movement
What you eat can also help or hinder your body’s ability to detox. Meat feeds and nourishes your body, while plants cleanse it. And don’t forget to hydrate with minerals to keep your body’s processes moving smoothly.
Reset Your Home Environment
What surrounds us often mirrors what’s going on inside us, and vice versa. In fact, the environment we live in is just as important as the food we fuel our bodies with. You can be eating the cleanest foods in the world, but if you’re filling your lungs with fragranced plug-ins and scented dryer sheets, that food will only get you so far. To ensure your environment is conducive to good health:
- Keep it clean and decluttered.
- Swap toxic cleaners and personal care products for non-toxic alternatives.
- Create a cozy corner – a personal retreat for rest or quiet time.
Bonus: Help balance your circadian rhythm by opening the windows and switching to blue-light blocking bulbs in the evening.
Reset as a Return to Wholeness
A gentle reset is an opportunity to come home to yourself; to realign your mind and body with its natural processes. It’s not about escaping your life or filling the gaps with protocols and adjustments that don’t really matter. Take small steps that make a positive difference to your health and your mindset, and don’t worry about the rest.
