If the prospect of warmer weather has you less than thrilled about cleaning house, maybe it's time to try some spring cleaning on yourself instead. With just a little effort, you can give your body a fresh start and flush out any toxins that are cramping your style. It's time to detoxify.

A party lifestyle asks a lot from your body. Pretty much everything you drink, eat, breathe or soak in through your skin makes its way to your liver. Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, even in small amounts, are toxins, and your liver needs to break them down and make them water-soluble, so they can be ushered out through your sweat or during toilet time. If your body is overwhelmed with toxins, you can end up with problems ranging from dark circles under your eyes and difficulty concentrating to cancer and liver disease. And more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men over a period of years may lead to cirrhosis (which causes irreversible liver damage), according to MayoClinic.com.

Come on, this is your body we're talking about. Your liver is your best friend, but it can only handle so much. You're best to avoid toxins in the first place - your liver already has enough work to do -- but if that part of your lifestyle isn't negotiable, or if some damage has already been done, you can still lend your body a hand. Read on for six ways to detox, from the easy -- drinking green tea or asking for extra beans at Chipotle -- to the fun - getting a massage or taking a steam bath.

You've heard it a million times: Stay hydrated.

Why it matters: Alcohol actually dehydrates you, creating a major handicap as your body tries to turn toxins into a water-soluble form. Sip on water throughout the day and drink a full glass of it between drinks when you're out.

Avoid drinking out of plastic bottles, even reusable ones, because they may leach chemicals into the water. Stick with drinking from glass or a reusable stainless steel or aluminum water bottle, like those made by Sigg and Klean Kanteen. You can buy them at many co-op grocers, sporting-goods stores and Whole Foods.

Your mother says: Eat your fruits and veggies.

Protein: Your body needs protein in order to break down toxins and make them water-soluble. Include some nuts, legumes, fish, eggs, soy or meat with each meal.

Antioxidants:When the liver breaks down toxins, they turn into dangerous free radicals. Antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, neutralize free radicals before they wreak havoc on your body. Look for foods high in vitamins A, C and E and selenium, such as oranges, kiwi and nuts.

Fiber: If your liver is overwhelmed, toxins might sneak past it. Soluble fiber will glom onto those escapees and whisk them out through digestion. Without fiber, the lining of your intestines will send the toxins back into your blood stream. So chomp on some apples, prunes, oats and legumes. Or yes, opt for extra beans in your Chipotle burrito.

Buy organic and natural foods to ensure you're not taking in toxins from pesticides, herbicides and artificial ingredients. For the best quality and widest selection, shop at your local co-op, natural foods store or Whole Foods. See www.thegreenguide.org/article/goods/coops for a grocer near you.

Even more fun in winter: Sweat it out.

Who'd argue with this: Get a back rub.

Why it helps: Experts think massage may help flush out toxins by relaxing constricted muscles that are holding in waste such as lactic acid, and by increasing blood flow throughout your body. Massage may pull toxins out from their hiding places and help them get flushed out. Plus, massages feel great. Get one free by asking that special someone for a rubdown. If they need a little help finding the right moves, sign up together for a community ed class. A professional massage is well worth the money too. If you get one at a massage school, you'll pay about half the price of one at a spa -- around $30 to $40 for an hour.

Wise man says: Take a deep breath.

What it does: When you're stressed, your body suppresses your digestive system, immune system and detoxification system, limiting your ability to clear out toxins. Take your stress down a few gears by trying yoga, meditation or deep breathing. In the Uptown area, check out Grasshopper Yoga Studio. Or try meditation at Common Ground Meditation Center in south Minneapolis, and if you're a University of Minnesota student, check out the Mindfulness Club student group.

Other cultures have this down pat: Take a cup of tea.

Sarah Moran is a Minneapolis-based health writer.