Why the End of Summer Is the Perfect Time for a Healthy Reset
Why the End of Summer Is the Perfect Time for a Healthy Reset
By Dee Davidson, FDN-P
Summer is wonderful.
Vacations. Cookouts. Ice cream. Cocktails. Later nights. Restaurant meals. Travel. Less structure.
I am ALL for enjoying your life.
But by the end of summer, many people tell me the same thing:
“I just feel off.”
Maybe you're more bloated.
Your bowel movements aren't as regular.
You're craving sugar constantly.
Your energy is dragging.
Your sleep schedule is completely different.
Your clothes feel tighter.
Your skin isn't as clear.
Or you're simply ready to feel like yourself again.
That's why I love using the transition from summer into fall as an opportunity for a reset.
Not starvation.
Not living on lemon water.
Not punishing yourself for what you ate on vacation.
And certainly not trying to "detox" your body through some extreme protocol.
Your body already has incredibly sophisticated detoxification and elimination systems involving your liver, kidneys, digestive tract, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin.
Our job is to give those systems what they need to function well.
Why I Love Seasonal Resets
There's something about the change of seasons that naturally encourages us to get back into routine.
Kids return to school.
Vacations slow down.
Bedtimes become more consistent.
Meals are prepared at home again.
Schedules become more predictable.
Rather than waiting until January 1st to decide you're finally going to take care of yourself, why not use the end of summer as your fresh start?
I like to begin with something incredibly simple:
Try a 7-Day Whole-Food Reset
For one week, simplify your diet and remove some of the foods and drinks that commonly become excessive during summer.
Consider taking seven days away from:
Gluten
Dairy
Added/refined sugar
Alcohol
Ultra-processed foods
Fried foods
Artificial sweeteners
Highly refined carbohydrates
This isn't because every one of these foods is inherently "toxic."
It's an opportunity to simplify your diet, reduce alcohol and added sugar, increase nutrient-dense foods, and notice how your body responds.
For seven days, focus primarily on real, single-ingredient foods.
What SHOULD You Eat?
Keep it uncomplicated.
Build your meals around:
Quality protein: eggs, chicken, turkey, wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, lentils and other proteins that work for your body.
Vegetables: leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, zucchini, peppers, carrots and beets.
Healthy fats: avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds and olives.
Fiber-rich carbohydrates: berries, apples, sweet potatoes, squash, quinoa and other whole-food carbohydrates as tolerated.
Herbs and spices: cilantro, parsley, garlic, ginger, turmeric, rosemary and cinnamon.
The goal isn't to eat as little as possible.
The goal is to nourish your body.
Your 7-Day Reset Checklist
Along with cleaning up your food, spend one week returning to the foundations.
Aim for plenty of filtered water throughout the day.
Start your morning with sunlight.
Prioritize seven to nine hours of sleep.
Walk every day.
Try taking a 10-minute walk after meals.
Eat adequate protein at every meal.
Include fiber-rich vegetables daily.
Make sure you're having regular bowel movements.
Reduce unnecessary fragrance and chemical exposures in your home.
Take five minutes daily to breathe, meditate, pray, journal, or simply be still.
And perhaps most importantly:
Give yourself a break from alcohol.
Your liver already has plenty of jobs. Giving it a vacation from alcohol can be one of the simplest ways to support your overall health.
Don't Forget About Your Bowels
We talk about "detox" constantly, but sometimes overlook one of the most basic elimination pathways:
Pooping.
Regular bowel movements matter.
If you're significantly constipated, I wouldn't recommend jumping into an aggressive cleanse.
Start with the foundations:
Hydration.
Fiber.
Movement.
Magnesium when appropriate.
Adequate food.
Stress management.
And investigating WHY constipation is happening if it persists.
Your goal isn't simply to mobilize things.
Your body also needs to eliminate waste effectively.
What About a Juice Cleanse?
This is one area where I take a more balanced approach.
Fresh vegetable juice can be a wonderful way to add vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and hydration to your diet.
I LOVE a fresh green juice made with ingredients such as:
Cucumber
Celery
Parsley
Lemon
Ginger
Green apple
Spinach or kale
Here is a planned and prepared option for juice cleansing.
If you have diabetes, blood sugar problems, kidney disease, take certain medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of disordered eating, or have another medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider before fasting or attempting a juice cleanse.
Want to Go a Step Further? Consider an Herbal Cleanse
Some people also choose to incorporate herbal cleansing protocols seasonally.
One company I've personally discussed with my community is RogersHood Apothecary, founded by Kim Rogers.
Their ParaFy Kit is a 30-day herbal program containing several herbal tinctures plus a binder. RogersHood describes the program as supporting the body's natural detoxification and digestive processes. Their formulas contain herbs including black walnut hull, clove, wormwood, garlic, Oregon grape root, burdock, cilantro and dandelion.
If you're curious, you can explore it here:
Ad button that says-- gentle cleanse options
Don't Forget Your Natural Detox Pathways
You don't necessarily need a product to begin supporting your body's natural elimination systems.
Some of my favorite foundational practices are FREE:
Sweating through appropriate exercise.
Hydrating.
Eating cruciferous vegetables.
Getting adequate fiber.
Prioritizing protein.
Reducing alcohol.
Sleeping eight hours.
Getting outside.
Having regular bowel movements.
Breathing deeply.
Reducing unnecessary environmental exposures.
Using a sauna if it's appropriate for you.
These aren't glamorous.
But health rarely comes from one magical cleanse.
It comes from what you consistently do every day.
Think "Reset," Not Punishment
Maybe you enjoyed ice cream with your kids all summer.
Maybe you drank wine on vacation.
Maybe you ate pizza at the beach.
Maybe your workouts weren't consistent.
You don't need to punish yourself for any of it.
Life is meant to be lived.
Use the end of summer as an opportunity to lovingly tell your body:
“Okay, we're getting back to taking care of you.”
Seven days.
Real food.
No alcohol.
No added sugar.
Take a break from gluten and dairy if that makes sense for you.
Hydrate.
Move.
Sleep.
Support digestion.
Add fresh vegetable juice if you enjoy it.
And then notice.
How's your energy?
How's your digestion?
How are your cravings?
How are you sleeping?
How's your mood?
How does your body FEEL?
Sometimes seven intentional days are exactly what we need to remember how good we're capable of feeling.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. "Detox" in this article refers primarily to supporting the body's normal physiological detoxification and elimination processes. Herbal cleanses and dietary restriction are not appropriate for everyone. If you suspect a parasitic infection, seek appropriate medical evaluation rather than relying on an over-the-counter cleanse. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before fasting, beginning an herbal cleanse, significantly changing your diet, or starting supplements, particularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medications, have diabetes, kidney or liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, a history of an eating disorder, or another medical condition.
About Dee Davidson, FDN-P
Dee Davidson is a Board-Certified Functional Health Practitioner, hormone and thyroid specialist, and the creator of the Confidently Balance Your Hormones podcast. She helps women in midlife and beyond uncover the root causes of fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, gut issues, and hormonal imbalances using functional labs, science-backed strategies, and nervous system regulation.
Dee’s work centers around empowering women to finally feel safe, seen, supported, and confident in their bodies — without restriction, overwhelm, or confusion.