Detoxing in the fall may sound counterintuitive. After all, spring—Ayurveda’s other optimal time to detox—is our cultural cleaning season, whereas autumn feels like a time to hunker down and get back to work.

“In the spring, it’s about shaking off the weight of winter and getting revved up for summer, and we’re good at that,” says Ayurvedic consultant, yoga teacher, and friend Scott Blossom. “In the fall, it’s about acknowledging that we’re overly busy, slowing down, and restoring the body.”

In short, during the fall, Ayurvedic health educators say it’s important to slow down, support your liver’s natural ability to remove toxins from the body, and take stock of the influences that you allow into your life—from the kind of food you eat to the amount of time you spend in front of an electronic device (computer, cell phone, TV).

Rather than 'stripping' us clean - a fall cleanse should focus on gently balancing and nourishing us while promoting a sense of groundedness. It is an essential time to build resources and rejuvenate so that we are less vulnerable during winter.