You’re Not Fat. You’re Just Swollen

You’ve been doing everything you can to get rid of that stubborn fat eyeing you up in the mirror. You’ve been eating well, exercising for your cycle, and hitting 10,000 steps a day – yet still, you continue to struggle to lose weight. 

For most people, bigger arms are a sure sign of added pounds; however, sometimes, it’s actually a symptom of a stagnant lymphatic system. This happens when your lymphatic system becomes overwhelmed and is unable to flush out toxins. As a result, you may experience a variety of issues, such as a lowered immune system, fluid retention, cellulite, and fatty deposits.

What Causes a Congested Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is made up of nodes, vessels, ducts, and glands that act as a drainage system. It takes all the toxins that build up in our cells and flushes them out. However, the lymphatic system can be negatively affected by stress and inflammation. If the lymph fluid is unable to flow out of the nodes through to the kidneys and liver to be flushed, it becomes stuck in our body, creating a variety of issues, like swelling.

Usually, when fluid leaks into the body’s tissues, the lymphatic system removes it; however, when the fluid isn’t drained properly, the tissues swell, appearing puffy and uncomfortable. To address this issue, you’ll need to stimulate your lymphatic system. This will enable your body to flush out the toxins causing the congestion while also reducing fluid retention and swelling.

How To Stimulate Your Lymphatic System

In the modern world, our bodies are regularly exposed to so many toxins and contaminants. Whether it’s environmental pollution, body care products and makeup, or even your coffee cup, it’s hard to stay entirely clear of all the toxins in our day-to-day life. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to help your lymphatic system flush toxins out of your body and reduce fluid retention and swelling.

1. Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic massage was specifically created to clear up a congested lymphatic system and enable the lymph fluid to flow naturally throughout your body. These massages reduce swelling by gently manipulating specific areas of your body while also relieving pain that may have been caused by a stuck lymphatic system.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

A well-balanced diet makes you feel and look good – it’s as simple as that! This means eating healthy food that creates less waste for your lymphatic system to clean up. Stay away from the In-N-Out animal-style fries, hold off on the chocolate shakes, and give your body what it really craves – good, nutrient-dense foods. Doing this will reduce your chances of congestion in your lymphatic system. You could even incorporate a regular detox cleanse into your routine, ideally supported by liver enzymes to ease the stress on your liver and kidneys.

3. Salt Therapy

Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, involves breathing in air containing tiny salt particles and can help with a variety of issues, including lymphatic congestion. Because salt has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties, it can help your lymphatic system naturally fight toxins.

4. Cold Plunges

Cold plunges involve immersing yourself in cold water temperatures and have tons of benefits, including improving immunity, decreasing inflammation, and boosting your mood, among others. You can do this at home, in your own bathtub, or find a group to do cold water plunges with in a lake or the ocean.

As cold plunge causes muscle contraction, it stimulates lymphatic drainage and increases lymphatic flow, helping to flush out waste and toxins from the body.

5. Exercises

You may already be exercising for your cycle, which is a great start! However, if you’re experiencing issues with your lymphatic system, there are exercises you can add to your routine to specifically target blockages. 

LiveStrong is a trusted health, nutrition, and fitness publication that recommends the following exercises to promote a healthy lymphatic system:

• Pelvic tilt

• Neck rotation

• Shoulder shrug

• Leg slides

• Ankle pumps

• Leg falls

6. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas have amazing health-boosting properties. Alongside regular exercise, the following teas are recommended for lymphatic drainage, soothing the symptoms of swelling and boosting the immune system.

• Yaupon tea

• Ginger tea

• Cleavers

• Chamomile tea

• Peppermint tea

• Echinacea tea

7. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing involves using a soft but firm bristle brush to stimulate circulation and the lymphatic system. Using short, brisk, upward strokes, brush your dry skin along your extremities toward your lymph nodes. Check out our guide on how to dry brush here.

Closing Thoughts

There’s lots of medical advice out there, and sometimes, the stuff you find may even contradict what you read moments before. The best thing to do is to speak to your doctor and conduct your own research. No one knows your body better than you do, so make sure you find the solution that works best for you.

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