Body Brushing... To Brush or Not to Brush
Over the last couple years, I've heard doctors, skin care professionals and random articles referencing the benefits of body brushing. The first few times I heard about it, it went in one ear and out the other, but finally, I googled it. I was astounded by the benefits, and last winter I began brushing.
Every winter I usually get the cold or flu, just once, and usually from my husband. Last winter, however, I spent a considerable amount of time visiting my father in law in the hospital. (This is an entirely separate story, an edge-of-your-seat tale,
about heroism, amputation, and swimming-then-hiking-then-{literally}-flying,
that one day, maybe, I'll share. But you can read a brief article here http://dlnet.cc/share/captain-returns-to-flight-deck-after-year-of-hardship/ )
After spending a considerable amount of time in the hospital during flu season, (wearing a mandatory face mask, opening doors with my elbow and closing them with my hip, cutting hair in the hospital lavatory, and going through massive quantities of hand-sani) I didn't get sick. I do believe this was partly because I didn't touch a lot while I was in the hospital, and I washed my hands frequently, but we all did that, and others did get sick. I think the main reason I stayed healthy last winter was because of the immune boosting benefits of body brushing.
What is body brushing? Body brushing is when you brush your entire body, from your feet to your heart, and then your head and arms to your heart, using a natural bristle brush. The benefits of this are truly astounding. For me, I REALLY didn't want to get sick, and of course I didn't mind the additional, long list of benefits. When you brush your body, beginning at your extremities, and brushing toward your heart, you're supporting your body's lymphatic drainage system, which eliminates toxins and sewage in the body and keeps you healthy! I truly believe that this 5-10 minute brushing session in the morning kept me healthy all winter!
A few other benefits, shared from MindBodyGreen are:
“ ...Increasing the circulation to the skin could possibly reduce the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is toxic material accumulated in your body’s fat cells. So, rather than take drastic measures like liposuction, how about utilizing the dry skin brushing techniques to help break down unwanted toxins?
Dry body brushing helps shed dead skin cells (and encourages new cell renewal), which results in smoother and brighter skin. It can also help with any pesky ingrown hairs.
It assists in improving vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. By releasing toxins, it encourages the body’s discharge of metabolic wastes so the body is able to run more effectively.
Dry skin brushing rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin (and it feels pretty great, too!).
It helps with muscle tone and gives you a more even distribution of fat deposits.
Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores.”
After brushing, you need to clean off all the dead cells with a shower. One of my favorite soaps is Kiss My Face's olive oil bar, it lasts a really long time, smells fresh, and is really healthy for you and gentle on your skin.
Find it here: Kiss My Face Olive Oil Soap.
After you clean and open your pores, you need to finish with a lotion that is healthy, as it will be absorbed into your blood system; and why add something that your body will have to eliminate after you've just assisted your body in detoxing? My preference is to finish my routine with Arbonne's RE9 Advance Firming Body Cream; key ingredients are algea extract to support collagen, Sea buckthorn oil, an antioxidant with beta carotene, which supports supple tone and smooth-looking skin , and peptides . It absorbs so effectively you only have to use a tiny amount, and the effects can be felt/seen in under 10 minutes, and last the entire day. With continued use you will notice a permanent change in your skin as well.
You can find the cream here: RE9 Advanced Body Firming Cream
Hoping this helps you have a healthier winter, among other things!!
As always, I'll try and have answers if you've got questions!
And don't forget to leave a little sparkle everywhere you go!
Ciao!
Courtney
Additional Body Brushing information:
