DRY BRUSHING for SELF CARE

The first time I heard about dry brushing I thought that won’t help me because I have dry skin, so I went a few more years before I tried it. Today I dry brush every morning and can feel it working on my wellness path even before that first cup of coffee.

EXFOLIATION

Dry brushing unclogs your skin’s pores thus making it easier to sweat and eliminate toxins. It will also remove dead skin cells and your skin will be SO SOFT and smoother. I noticed my legs seemed smoother of cellulite and smaller in circumference. I cannot find scientific studies that support this but I am not alone in seeing these results as I research others who practice this method.

DETOXIFICATION

Brushing increases blood circulation without robbing it of moisture, where hot shower water inflames skin, stripping oil that is needed for healthy skin. Dry brushing, then showering prepares your skin to readily absorb an oil or body butter. I do not use lotions as they seem to coat your skin rather than absorb into the deeper layers.

LYMPH FLOW

Brushing promotes lymph flow and drainage. The lymph’s main job is to maintain fluid levels in our body tissues by removing the fluids that leak out of our blood vessels. In easy terms—the sewer system of our body. If it “isn’t moving” diseases are “breeding”. Lymph nodes are next to breast tissue. Lymph that is clogged or stagnant can be a cause of breast cancer.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Brushing stimulates the vagus nerve which in turn promotes relaxation and reduces inflammation. The vagus nerve relaxes the fight/flight response, lowering our cortisol levels, triggering a relaxation, and lowering blood pressure. If the body is in constant inflammation response, it cannot fight against infections, injuries, or toxins that threaten it. In simplistic terms, the body is at war all the time, talk about exhaustion!!!

BASICS

Pick a brush with natural stiff bristles. The one in my blog picture is from World Market. The preferred method is to start at the feet and sweep the brush up towards the heart. Real-world method, brush back and forth ALL parts—feet, legs, arms the front and backside of them. Your butt, back, and chest. Brush in a clockwise circle all around your belly and don’t forget to brush the armpits for extra lymph stimulation. Do not use your body brush on your face, it is too hard for facial skin.

So, isn’t it worth buying a $5 dry body brush and trying it for 1 month? Let me know how it works for you.

YOGA MOM KIMBERLY