When talking about beauty and skincare, we can talk about our favorite products all day long. But, really, the foundation of all your beauty goals is healthy daily habits.
The healthier your body . . . the better everything looks, right? Hair, skin, nails–everything. And, one of the BEST tools to elevate your beauty game is the concept of lymphatic drainage.
Lymphatic drainage is a form of massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluid (AKA toxins, waste products, and excess fluids) through the vessels and nodes to get them out of the body. Basically, you massage lymph nodes and flush out toxins. Obviously, getting rid of waste and other crap from your body is a good thing, but why?
Research actually shows manual lymphatic drainage can reduce swelling, boost your immune system, manage chronic pain, promote tissue repair after surgery, improve skin health, and promote stress relief. So, basically it can make you feel great while ensuring your skin stays snatched and RADIANT.
Needless to say, there are a lot of benefits of lymphatic drainage. There are a lot of manual lymphatic drainage techniques including, dry brushing, ice rolling, face massaging, body massaging, getting facials, and body sculpting.
We love them ALL, but some say that the process of lymphatic drainage makes them sick . . . is that true? Let’s get into the details:
Can Lymphatic Drainage Make You Sick and Why: Tips for Prevention
Short answer: yes. A lymphatic massage session can make you feel sick. It’s simply because that lymphatic system is responsible for flushing out all the toxins and other shit from your body. So, if you have enough gunk it can leave you feeling sick as the lymph flow works through your body. You may feel fatigue, nausea, and headaches.
Don’t let this talk you out of reaping all the benefits of lymphatic drainage though. Those feelings are short-lived and with constant lymphatic movement, you’ll feel incredible. There is lots you can do to reduce and eliminate the side effects and keep detoxifying your body. Here’s what you need to do next time you have a big lymphatic moment:
How To Avoid Feeling Sick After Lymphatic Drainage
Drink plenty of water afterwards.
After you’re done with your lymphatic massage, it’s time to drink lots of water. It keeps the momentum going to flush out those toxins ASAP. Plus, hydrating can actually eliminate the toxins all together to ensure you feel your best.
Avoid heavy meals immediately after the session.
To get those toxins out as soon as possible, you need your digestive system and circulatory system running at its best. When you eat a big, heavy meal, it can strain your gut and even cause your body to divert blood flow to your digestive system. This is bad news when your body is supposed to be focusing on getting out toxins. So, keep your meals light after lymph massage.
PRO TIP: You could even eat something that encourages lymphatic drainage.
Rest and relax to allow your body to adjust.
Keep it cool. Your body needs time to do its thing. The more you rest and relax, the quicker your body is going to get those toxins through. Hopefully, with some rest and hydration, you won’t feel any symptoms at all.
Consider light activities like gentle stretching or walking.
Gentle, slow activities can keep the momentum of your lymph flow by improving circulation and overall efficiency of your lymphatic system. This way, your toxins hopefully won’t stagnate in your body and make you sick. Do some yoga or go on a circadian walk and let your body do its thing.
Tell your doctor if you feel like shit.
If you start to feel really horrible, contact a medical professional right away. You shouldn’t feel extreme discomfort after a massage. So, listen to your body and go to the doctor if necessary.
There are lots of ways to prevent sickness with lymphatic drainage.
Who’s ready for a massage? Or, maybe some dry brushing? Though there’s a chance of queasiness, with a few simple prevention methods you can easily avoid feeling sick. The benefits outweigh the cons, so it’s time to add lymphatic drainage tools to your Caboodle to reach your wellness goals. Here’s our must-have list:
+ ice roller and/or Mint Roller
Lauryn is all about the lymphatic system and if you are too, be sure to check out this podcast with expert Lisa Gainsley.
Do you get lymphatic drainage massages? What have you noticed since starting them? Let us know below.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Read Lauryn’s specific routines and hacks here.
++ Check out Jesse Golden’s unique wellness practices.
MASSAGE YOUR LYPMH:
