Hey Friends!
Happy Friday! A few weeks ago, I did a #WellnessWednesday series on my IG Story all about dry brushing. If you haven’t watched before, on Wednesdays (over Insta Stories), I like to feature a new wellness hack, product, or routine I have and give all the details on the benefits and ways to implement that practice! I love to feature things that are EASY additions to a wellness routine because I love to show that living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be overwhelming or stressful. We don’t need to be perfect all the time drinking our kale juices and getting into bed at 9pm (although this bedtime sounds pretty ideal to me haha). I believe it’s all about balance! Anyway, today I’m giving all the deets on dry brushing! Dry brushing is something simple that you can do daily in under 10 mins that will make you feel great and will have a positive impact on your body.
Dry brushing is an age-old process that has gained popularity in the wellness world in the last few years, & for a very good reason!
Dry brushing consists of brushing the skin in upward movements towards the heart, preferably in strokes of three. I like to start down at my ankles and gently brush up my legs, stomach, arms, back (what I can reach), & neck. You can brush as gently or as roughly as you like but I recommend starting lightly because it can leave your skin a bit red. The dry brush I use and recommend can be found here. If you want to really get technical, you are supposed to dry brush when the skin is completely dry and then shower off, following up the shower by oiling your body (with coconut oil or something similar). For me, I’ve found it more realistic to practice dry brushing while I shower! Like I said above, it’s all about adding in wellness practices that easily fit into your routine. Just do what you can! On days I have more time, I will dry brush before my shower, & it always feels like an added extra treat to myself. Just remember, you always want to brush up towards the heart!
Some of the benefits of dry brushing include:
1. An Energy Rush
This benefit is the biggest one I’ve noticed and is the main reason I come back to dry brushing again and again. I make it a point to always focus on brushing under my arms/ brushing up through my armpits and sides of my breasts because this is where our lymph nodes are. Brushing the lymph nodes is amazing for this energy rush I’m talking about and literally gives you this natural kind of high. It’s like having a cup of coffee but without the jitters. Try it in the morning and see what I mean!! Stimulating the lymph nodes via dry brushing can also help to detoxify and in turn can help support the immune system.
2. Exfoliation
Another benefit of dry brushing is that it can help to exfoliate the skin and make skin softer. Dry brushing is an easy way to remember to exfoliate, rather than spending too much time using a body scrub. I love it for this very reason!
3. Reduction of Cellulite
As you might know, exfoliating the skin regularly has been linked to the reduction of cellulite. Rather than spending lots of money on expensive cellulite reduction creams, I recommend trying dry brushing to see if it gives a result!
4. Boosted Immune System
Like I mentioned above, dry brushing is directly stimulating the lymphatic system. This means that it can help to boost the immune system because the lymph system is a major part of the body’s immune system. “It is made up of organs and lymph nodes, ducts, and vessels that transport lymph throughout the body. Many of these lymph vessels run just below the skin and therefore can be stimulated by the bristles of the dry brush.”
SO, is this something you’re thinking of trying? Have you already tried it?? Let me know what you think of the energy rush in the morning after dry brushing. It really helps to set the tone for the day!
