How to Support Your Lymphatic System Naturally
Most of my health coaching clients have heard of the circulatory system, but very few actually know what the lymphatic system is or what it does. This means they definitely don’t realize the vital role it plays in our immune function, fluid balance, detoxification and overall health.
It’s easiest to think of our lymphatic system as our body’s drainage and cleanup crew. It transports our immune cells, removes excess fluid, and carries waste products (toxins) away from our tissues. Poor lymph flow = toxin overload.
Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the heart to keep the blood moving, our lymphatic systems rely on movement and other lifestyle things to flow efficiently.
In this blog post I will cover signs that you may have a stagnant lymph system and natural ways you can improve your lymph flow.
How to Tell if Your Lymph is Impaired
Here’s some common symptoms of a stagnant lymphatic system:
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes consistently
Seasonal allergies
Sinus issues
Ear pain/consistent ear infections
Puffiness or swelling
Feeling sluggish
Frequent illness
Tender lymph nodes
Brain fog
Skin issues
Fluid retention
Think this might be you? Check how your lymphatic system is performing by doing a Bioenergetic Scan with me!
How to Naturally Improve Your Lymphatic Drainage
1. Move Your Body Every Day
One of the best ways to support lymphatic flow is through regular movement.
Activities like:
Walking
Strength training
Stretching
Dancing
Even playing outside with your kids
all help stimulate lymph movement throughout the body.
You do not need an intense workout- as long as you’re jostling your body and sweating!
2. Stay Hydrated
The lymphatic system is largely made up of fluid.
When you're dehydrated, lymph can become more sluggish. Drinking adequate high quality filtered water throughout the day helps support healthy circulation and fluid balance.
I always recommend drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces per day (for example, I weigh 130 lbs, so I aim for at least 65 ounces of water a day).
3. Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing does more than calm the nervous system!
The movement of your diaphragm acts like a pump that helps move lymph throughout the body.
Try taking 5–10 slow, deep belly breaths a few times each day, especially when you're feeling stressed!
4. Sweat Regularly
Sweating is one of the body's natural ways of eliminating waste!
Whether it's:
Exercise
Time outdoors
Sauna use
breaking a sweat can be a helpful part of an overall wellness routine.
5. Support Your Body With Nourishing Foods
A diet rich in whole foods helps support overall health, including the systems involved in immune function and inflammation.
Focus on:
Colorful fruits and vegetables
Quality protein
Healthy fats
Minimally processed foods (read your food labels- [learn how to read your food labels here])
Rather than looking for a magic supplement, start with the basics, which is just eating real food!
6. Dry Brush
Stimulating the lymphatic system with dry brushing is a simple technique that can go a long way.
Standing in your bath tub or shower, dry brush in the direction that lymph flows (you can easily google a chart of this) for a couple of minutes a day. I recommend doing this in the tub because your skin may flake a little.
7. Use a Vibration Plate
Vibration plates are a wellness tool that don’t get enough hype. It gets the lymph moving and helps improve immune function! It’s also affordable and pretty compact so it doesn’t take up a ton of room in your home. You can find a vibration plate on Amazon!
A Reminder for You
God designed our bodies with incredible systems that work together every day to protect and support us!
Creating simple habits that support your body's natural ability to function well is one of the easiest hacks you can do to improve your overall wellness!
If you think you may have a stagnant lymph, I highly recommend getting a Bioenergetic Scan! It shows how your lymph system is functioning and can help pinpoint why it may be stagnant. You can learn more about Bioenergetic Scans here and why I perform them for my health coaching clients!
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