Today I am sharing some information on the Lymphatic System, one of the most underrated area of health. Sorry for the blog break! I’ve missed you! I recently stepped down from my 6-year role as Director of Phase It Up, and have been in a few months of transition with that role. I’ll still be involved with Phase It Up as a Dietitian and Advisor, but will not be involved in the same capacity. The program recently got a major facelift and I created multiple new phases before I left specifically for women including Mediterrrean Way, Perimenopause and Menopause Phases. Each phase includes how to eat, what to eat, supplements, workouts, etc. Phase It Up will always be my baby, so if you ever need support on recipes, meal plans, food guides, special instructions on food plans like keto, vegetarian, high protein, intermittent fasting, fasting in general… Phase It Up is where I’ll continue to recommend you go to learn more!
Since we moved to Kansas I’ve been in testing and exploration mode with my own health and health symptoms. One of the biggest things I’m working on is supporting drainage and making sure that my body can detox.
Making sure the lymphatic system is working at full speed is a big part of that.
The lymphatic system is a collection of oragans, vessels, tissues that move lymph, a watery colorless fluid. It filters out waste, acting like a garbage disposal, and also helps collect excess fluid tissues around the body and return it to the blood stream. It is also a big part of the immune system!
If your lymp needs some love, you might be experiencing some of the following symptoms:
- Hard knots in your lymph nodes (arm pits, neck, in partucular)
- Puffy legs, face, extremities
- Fluid retention
- Varicose veins
- Fatigue, brain fog, etc.
Here are some very simple ways to start with improving your lymphatic system:
- Perform Dr. Perry Nickleston’s Big 6 movements every day: Follow his simple youtube tutorial on how to do this.
- Dry brushing: Go get yourself a basic dry brush from Amazon, Target, or spa store. I use my dry brush before I get in the shower. You want to do it after you do the Big 6 movemebers to open your lymph channels and then use a dry brush all over, particularly working from the outside, in. Moving moving from the extremities to your heart with light strokes of the dry brush.
- Castor oil & castor oil packs. I have some listed in my Amazon Favorites here.
- Avoid clothes that are too tight fitting: When clothes are too tight, it blocks the movement of flow.
- Get more physical: Movement helps our lymph move. You don’t want that to get too stagnant. You can walk, stretch, jump, play, swim… all are great for your lymph!