Let’s talk about lymph. When you’re feeling tired, rough, sick or even hungover, hydration alone may not quite cut it, here’s why.
When our bodies fight against anything, stress, fatigue, bugs, alcohol or any of the other stuff we chuck at them, they create toxins.
Toxins are the waste materials from the fight, the shell casings if you like.
These toxins are mobilised out of the body via the lymphatic system, passing into the blood stream and leaving the body through urination, perspiration and exhalation.
The lymphatic system relies on you moving about, to move it about.
Now, here’s the thing. The lymphatic system is pumped by movement.
Unlike the heart and lungs, which have their own integral pumping stations, the lymphatic system relies on you moving about, to move it about.
So, when you’re feeling sluggish, tired, sick or hungover, do yourself a favour, get up (if you can) take a full body stretch, fling your arms around, do some marching on the spot. If you can, wrap up and take a walk outside.
Lymph is a colourless fluid full of white blood cells and lymphocytes, the goodies that fight bacteria in your blood. Lymph bathes the tissues, collecting up any nasties and drains, via a network of vessels and nodes, called the lymphatic system, exchanging into the bloodstream.
When the lymph gets sluggish it is harder to move the nasties out of your body so keep drinking the water too.
Your body will thank you.
Claire Cutler-Casey is a professional Kinesiology Practitioner and Touch For Health instructor as well as delivering a variety of business and well-being workshops designed to help you navigate the process of change.
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