As the seasons shift so should your wellness routine.
Now that we have started to transition into the fall and winter season, have you been thinking about making some adjustments to your wellness routine?
Honestly, I feel like I’m always making adjustments to my wellness routine, especially this time of year.
As I prepare myself for the winter season, strengthening my immune system becomes my #1 priority and one of the tools that I like to incorporate into my wellness routine is dry brushing.
If you’re not familiar with dry brushing, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Using a soft bristle brush, you “brush” the body without the use of water, oil or lotion. Hence the name dry brushing. 😉
Dry brushing is an ancient technique that is used to stimulate the lymphatic system, exfoliate the skin and increase circulation.
Most of your lymphatic system is right under the skin but because it does not have an internal pump like your cardiovascular system, your lymphatic system has to rely on things like movement, exercise, sweating and dry brushing to help move fluid, flush out toxins and maintain your immune system.
If you’re new to dry brushing, it’s very simple to do, but there are a couple things to keep in mind before you get started.
First of all, it’s important to understand that your lymphatic system flows in a certain direction throughout your body, therefore, you want to brush in the direction of the lymphatic flow in order to be effective.
Rather than write out the steps on how to dry brush, I thought it would be easier to show you this short video by Dr. Mindy Beck. In the video, Dr. Beck demonstrates the correct way to dry brush. Following this technique will encourage maximum circulation in your lymphatic system as well as reduce any unwanted side effects.
The nice thing about dry brushing is the only tool you need is a brush! I recommend using a brush with natural bristles. A brush with a long handle is best because it will be easier for you to reach your back.
As you are learning to dry brush, it’s important to remember that your lymphatic system is fairly superficial so you don’t want to press too hard when you are dry brushing. If your skin appears red or scratched, either your brush is too abrasive or you’re using too much pressure.
How often you dry brush is really up to you. I have been dry brushing almost every morning before I shower and I’ve noticed that I feel more awake and alert afterwards. It’s definitely a great way to start my day.
Our bodies needs are different with each season and aligning your wellness routine with nature is one of the easiest ways to protect your well-being.
If you’re looking for something to add to your winter wellness routine, I would encourage you to try dry brushing. This simple act is a soothing and therapeutic treatment as well as an efficient way to improve your overall health.
Taking the time to embrace lifestyle choices in order to offset seasonally induced imbalances is not only an act of self-care, it is also the cornerstone to great health.
