Dear Friends,
During this time of year we are very busy and we tend to neglect ourselves when time is precious. With that in mind, I would like to share a health tip that you can do as your morning routine. It is called “Dry Brushing”. Dry brushing is a technique that helps stimulate the lymphatic system.
Your lymphatic system is an integral part of your immune system. It helps to regulate the fluid in your body and assess it for any pathogens that the immune system has to address and remove. It also facilitates absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients in the digestive system. Since the lymphatic system is not governed by the heart for propulsion, it depends on the movement of our muscles and a “one-way” valve system in the capillaries to keep things moving. Much like a slow moving stream it can sometimes become sluggish or blocked, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle or a job that limits your movement.
This is where dry brushing comes in. It is a method of using a dry, natural bristle brush to comb along the body in the direction of the lymphatic flow to stimulate its intrinsic circulation. This popular technique can exfoliate dead skin, detoxify, and clear up cellulite. It can even sometimes improve cellulitis. I remember one time having a technician demonstrate this on my arm and I couldn’t believe how alive and vitalized it made my arm feel long after the actual brushing stopped.
Normally this is done in a spa but I am going to tell you how you can do it in the shower.
How do you dry brush in the shower you ask? It won’t actually be dry of course but you can get the same result. You just won’t be using a natural bristle brush because it looses its firmness when wet. Instead you are going to your local dollar store and buy a brand new toilet brush. That’s right; I said toilet brush. Get the kind that’s generally white with the bristles that are twisted in a wire in a circular motion. You know…the ones that are really bad for actually cleaning a toilet. LOL!
While you are in the shower, do this:
- Start brushing from your palms up your arm to just below your under arm.
- Then start on the top of your hand and brush up to your shoulders.
- Next, start brushing from your mid back, up to your shoulders and neck.
- Then from your mid back down and over your buttocks.
- Now start brushing from your inner ankle up to your inner thigh.
- Then brush from your outer ankle up to your hips.
I’m not saying that this is a replacement for having a professional perform dry brushing on you, but I guarantee it will add a whole new invigorating dimension to your morning routine and you’ll feel revitalized for hours after.
I hope you’ll find this useful to energize you each day. It doesn’t take long and it pays in dividends!
Be kind to yourself and one another, when it is possible…and it is always possible.
Love and Light, Lori
