Why You Need To Love Your Lymph
When was the last time you showed your lymphatic system some love?
Most people think that lymphatics only matter for people who have had surgery. But a healthy lymph flow is essential for everyone!
Let’s take a closer look at the importance of lymphatics and how you can support a healthy flow.
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of nodes, vessels and immune cells throughout the body.
Lymph – the fluid of the lymphatic system – helps to remove waste products such as toxins, pathogens, excess fluid and other debris. This supports the natural cleansing of the body and keeps the immune system strong.
Unlike blood vessels, there is no in-built pump that moves lymph throughout the lymphatic system. Instead, our lymphatic system relies on skeletal muscles to manually pump the lymph around the body.
How your lymphatics affect your health
An overworked or congested lymphatic system can affect every system in the body. Waste products and toxins can build up in the tissues, which increases inflammation and oxidative stress.
More pressure is put on other elimination channels in the body such as the skin, the gut and the liver. As the lymphatic system works with the circulatory system to deliver oxygen and nutrients, congestion can starve the cells of vital nutrients.
Some signs of poor lymphatic flow include:
Feeling fatigued and sluggish
Sore, aching muscles
Headaches
Cellulite build-up
Increased inflammation
Low immunity
Flare-ups in chronic symptoms such as thyroid disease
Skin problems such as acne
If you have any chronic symptoms or a chronic condition, optimising your lymph flow can be a simple step towards wellness.
Simple ways to love your lymph
Could your lymphatic system use a little TLC? Here are some simple ways you can support a healthy flow of lymph.
Stay hydrated
Do you drink plenty of water every single day? If not, your lymph might be congested.
Your lymph fluid is made up of mostly water. But when you’re dehydrated, the system slows down, leading to a build-up of waste products and toxins within the body.
The good news is that this is an easy problem to fix! Simply add more water to your day – you can even use herbal teas if you don’t like plain water.
The right amount of water depends on your age, body composition and lifestyle. But if you’re not drinking enough water, a good starting point is 1.5-2L spread throughout the day. Add an extra 1-2 cups on hot days or when you’re exercising.
Move your body
We know that the lymphatic system relies on the skeletal muscles to pump lymph around the body. That means that the more you move, the more lymph you move around!
Find a way to move your body every day, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. You can:
Go for a walk
Dance
Go hiking
Swim
Do some yoga or Pilates
Do some stretching
Go to the gym or a fitness class
Garden
The options are endless! Pick whatever works for you - the best type of movement is one that you enjoy and can do consistently.
Treat yourself to a massage
Want an excuse to book in for a regular massage? You’ve got it!
Massage can help to move lymph around the body. Because massage works the skeletal muscles, it pumps the lymphatics in a similar way to exercise.
Any form of massage is good for lymph – including remedial massage, myotherapy and lymphatic drainage massage. So go ahead and book yourself in a session with your favourite massage therapist.
Give your lymph a helping hand
Sometimes your lymph can use a helping hand. It’s no secret that massage gloves are my secret to happy lymph!
I use and recommend LymFATics Magnetic Massage Gloves.
One side removes dead skin cells that slow the elimination of toxins through the skin. The other side uses magnets to gently encourage safe lymphatic flow through the key lymph areas of the body.
Did you know?
Everyone who joins up with the Nurture Reset Come Clean Cleanse receives a pair of these amazing massage gloves, a lymphatic e-book with steps to get your lymph flowing, and much more!