HOW TO LOVE YOUR LYMPH
Tide Within looks at the lymphatic system through the lens of wellness maintenance rather than illness management. Anyone with a diagnosed lymphatic condition or concerned in any way about their wellness or health should seek professional medical advice.
T
Take your time.
Progress slowly along your lymphatic wellness journey. The aim is to drain toxins out of the cells/tissues/ organs into the lymph and through the detox system of the body. The bowels must be working properly (at least one solid bowel per day).
Termini.
These are the two points either side of the neck, under the collar bone, where lymph drains back into the circulatory system. Gently stimulating these points with the flats of your hands is like opening a gate, the vibration encourages flow and creates space for lymph to flow.
All Tide Within rituals begin and end at these points.
Tune into your body.
Tide Within Anchor Ritual is designed to encourage mindful listening to the body without judgement or criticism. Self-awareness brings understanding and understanding brings choice.
Avoid tight fitting clothes.
(especially underwear).
Lymph vessels just under the skin are easily constricted and puffiness and stagnation can build up.
Reduce your toxic burden.
Reduce your toxic burden by being mindful about what you consume and what you put on your skin.
I
Identify.
Identify trigger foods, situations, or emotions that launch a negative feeling or response in the body.
Greater self-awareness increases the sense of self which is essential for the immune system to be able to distinguish the difference between self and non-self, which some argue may be at the basis of many autoimmune conditions.
Acknowledge your biochemical individuality.
A 'One Size Fits All' approach to wellness can be misleading. Our internal biological signature is as individual as our fingerprint. The body is constantly changing so too is our microbiome and nutritional needs.
The Immune system.
The Immune system relies on the lymphatic system as its main production and transport link for white blood immune fighting cells. So, the benefits of a free-flowing lymphatic system is vital in mounting the charge against invaders, both internally and externally.
Inflammation.
Debate exists as to whether Inflammation is stagnant lymph or that stagnant lymph causes Inflammation in the body. The debate is for scientists. An efficiently flowing/moving lymphatic system is what matters for any chronic illness.
D
Digestive Health.
Digestive health is deeply connected to the health of the lymphatic system.
GALT, (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue), exists in the gut in the form of Peyers Patches which is called to action every time you eat. So, it follows that if you have gut issues you have lymphatic issues (and vice versa).
Diaphragmatic Breathing.
Deep diaphragmatic or belly breathing, is a slightly deeper way of breathing that encourages lymphatic flow by the pumping action of the diaphragm muscle, a dome shaped muscle located with the trunk of the body.
Dry Brushing.
Dry brushing in the proper body sequence can be beneficial for lymphatic flow. Remember the direction of flow of lymph. Massaging or going against the natural flow of lymph will have the opposite effect to that desired.
Detox.
The lymphatic system is a detox pathway, so a free-flowing lymphatic system is essential before any detoxification protocol is commenced; otherwise the toxins may move to a more critical location within the body and cause discomfort and illness.
E
Exercise and movement.
Encourage lymphatic flow with exercise and movement. Find a form of movement that brings you joy. As you move visualise immune cells being carried to wherever they’re needed and see all bodily wastes being cleaned away. This is one of the reasons we all feel better after exercise and movement.
Enjoy occasionally.
Enjoy occasionally: a FAR infrared sauna or a Lymphatic Drainage massage.
Engage with life.
Engage with life, find out what brings you joy and do more of that thing.
A positive outlook on life is very powerful for our overall wellness.
