The first one is skiing—just look at those colors! I took that photo a few weeks ago in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy). This rejuvenates the soul as well as body. I’ve got two other ways that are equally as powerful.
The “24-hour reset
The first one is the “24-hour reset.” Carving out a day dedicated to sleep. That’s right: 24 hours in bed, free from distractions, responsibilities, and external stimuli. Why wait until you’re completely burnt out or sick to give yourself this incredible gift?
What Does It Involve?
My rules are simple: 24 hours in bed with no input from the outside world. No phone, no books, no music, no TV—just you and your body. Keep a liter of fresh lemon water by your bedside to sip throughout the day.
As the hours pass, you’ll sleep and sleep and sleep again. Soon a profound tiredness surfaces which you’ve been carrying for months or even years without realizing it. This isn’t about forcing rest; it’s about allowing your body to unwind naturally.
Warning: Your Mind will go Crazy
Minds hate doing nothing, so ignore all thoughts such as “You’re wasting time!” and “You’ve got work to do!”. Don’t let your mind boss you around. If you’ve read my book Embody: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction, you can gently remind your mind that these are thoughts, not reality. This is part of the reset’s magic: it helps you uncover hidden narratives that have shaped your habits and mindset for years.
Physical Benefits
As you rest, hunger signals fade. Your digestive system will relax and you might hear it gurgle. That’s a good sound: this may release old emotions that you’ve been harboring inside naturally. Ignore those, too. Just let them pass. You’ll feel lighter for it, not only in weight but also in spirit.
The Aftermath
When it comes to the evening, you’ll be surprised that a full night’s sleep is easy. And when you wake up the next morning, there’s a lightness in your step, a clarity to your thoughts, new insights, and a freshness that feels like starting anew. Here’s the well researched science to back this up:
- Stress Reduction: Extended periods of rest help lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), allowing your nervous system to recalibrate naturally.
- Improved Sleep Patterns: By resetting your body’s internal rhythms, you can break cycles of insomnia or restless sleep and restore deeper restfulness.
- Digestive Recalibration: Fasting combined with rest gives your digestive system time to heal and reset, potentially improving gut health over time.
- Mental Clarity: Disconnecting from external stimuli allows suppressed thoughts and emotions to surface while giving your brain space to process them without distraction.
- Enhanced Energy Levels: After such deep physical and mental recovery, you’ll feel more energized and focused in the days following their reset.
So try it! I try to do this once a year if I can as a way of auto-taking care of myself.
The spring detox
Along the same vein, my spring detox starts this Saturday. There’s the Beginner’s Detox from 5-7 April (75 euros) and the 9 day detox 5-13 April (150 euros). We’ll be doing this together, and I’ll be available to answer questions the entire time on a dedicated WhatsApp group. If the timing isn’t good, let me know and you can still receive the link to download the menus, recipes, an accountability sheet, do’s and don’ts, the science, and get access to the videos and WhatsApp when you are ready.
We are all so hard on ourselves. These steps are firm actions that you are giving your subconscious that you matter. I can’t recommend both of these enough: So join my detox. And do a 24-hour reset. You don’t need to tell anyone: just turn off the phone and you’ll see for yourself. You’ll be amazed at how you feel.