A beautiful, loving and health-ful self care practice that is easily done in minutes yet has many positive impacts is Dry Body Brushing. This an invigorating, exfoliating and detoxifying practice to add to your morning routine as needed.
Some of the benefits of dry skin brushing include:
- assists in improving vascular blood circulation
- activates lymphatic system
- rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin
- improved hormonal and immune systems
- opens up pores to release toxins
- relieves stress and calms the mind
- increases circulation to your skin and can reduce the appearance of cellulite
- helps shed dead skin cells (and encourages new cell renewal), which results in smoother and brighter skin
- promotes muscle tone and gives you a more even distribution of fat deposits
- encourages your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores
All you need for dry body brushing is a natural bristle brush (not one made from synthetic materials). A long handle is best, so that you can reach all areas of your body.
How to Dry Body Brush:
Start on dry skin before shower or bath
Work in gentle, long and upward strokes – 7 strokes is ideal.
Begin at your ankles in upwards movements towards the heart – the lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it’s important that you brush in the same direction. Your back is the exception; brush from the neck down to the lower back.
After you’ve finished with the ankles, move up to the lower legs, thighs, stomach, back and arms.
Shower or bathe to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities.
Follow it up with a coconut oil or other natural moisturizer to moisturize and nourish the skin.
Remember to…
Avoid dry brushing sunburns, rashes or irritated skin.
Avoid face, breasts and genital area.
Wash your brush after use to wash away dead skin cells.
The practice of body brushing can be very invigorating, so it is best done in the morning, or early evening, so as not to invigorate yourself before you go to bed.
Enjoy!