I love the smell after a good rain. There’s actually a word for that.

Looking for a Fresh Start

The term petrichor was coined in a Nature article by two scientists, Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Thomas, in the 1960s. Apparently, bacteria produce a chemical (geosmin) in rocks and soil that becomes concentrated during dry spells. When it rains, that geosmin is released into the air.

The technical aspect of petrichor is not what draws me. It is the feeling it brings. After a much-needed rain (unless there is a flood), everything feels crisp and clean. It is nature’s do-over. I don’t know about you but I can name more than a few people who could use a fresh start themselves.

The problem is that people too often look for quick fixes and magic cures. A simple search on the internet finds a detox for everything. Colon cleanses, detox teas, even putting onions in your socks. While I understand the desire to flush bad things out of your body, these “tricks” are usually not the way to go. Instead of turning to something that does not have the data to back it up, why don’t you do something simple and easy that will be your own band of petrichor?

A Body Detox

The old adage you are what you eat holds true, to an extent. I doubt you are going to turn into a giant pizza after a cheat meal, but you may feel a bit logy and tired after a carb binge. Whether it is the sugar crash, the bloating, or the unfortunate pounds that follow, eating certain foods literally weighs you down.

Eating healthy can and does make you feel better. Incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet is a start. Pulling away from processed foods, especially added sugars, can help your mood as well as your waistline. Don’t forget to drink lots of water too (as long as there is no medical reason not to). Staying hydrated will help you feel less tired and may even boost your metabolism. You don’t have to do any intense fasts or “cleanses” to detox your body. Not only are they uncomfortable and hard to do, but clinical studies have not shown them to have all that much benefit.

This is not to say you should deny yourself the things you enjoy. Life is meant to be enjoyed. As they say, everything in moderation.

A Mind Detox (Digital Detox)

Detoxing is not just for the body. What surrounds us in everyday life can be just as bad as anything we put into our bodies. Turn on the television and you will be bombarded with bad news and no, it is not all fake. You will see mass shootings, hate crimes, war, and people dying because they cannot afford their medications. At every turn, people tear each other down. It’s emotionally exhausting.

We live in a toxic world, politically and socially speaking. For our own well-being, sometimes we need to distance ourselves from all that negativity. Whether it’s pulling away from toxic people in real life or trolls on social media, be like Nike and just do it. Also, try to spend more time away from your devices (people spend as much as 11 hours per day on tech!). Here are some tips to get you started on that digital detox.

• Limit how much time you spend on social media. Consider apps like Freedom to curb your social media use. Better yet, just don’t check it for a few days!
• Unfollow or unlike anyone who is “not a good fit” for you on social media. Social media should be a place to engage in a positive and meaningful way. Anyone who chooses to be abusive or troll-y is simply not worth your time.
• Put away your phone during meals or other gatherings with family and friends. When you are with someone, be with someone. Don’t let your device be a third wheel.
• Set a time to check your emails. Don’t fall into the trap of constantly checking your messages. Dealing with them in one fell swoop once a day will give you the freedom to focus on other more important things throughout the day.
• Delete any apps you do not use on a regular basis. Why leave the temptation?

You deserve to be happy. Take some time for some self-care, whether it is a physical detox or a digital detox, to get on the right track.

 

Bear, I., Thomas, R. Nature of Argillaceous Odour. Nature 201, 993–995 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/201993a0

Time Flies: U.S. Adults Now Spend Nearly Half a Day Interacting with Media. (2022). Nielsen. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2018/time-flies-us-adults-now-spend-nearly-half-a-day-interacting-with-media/