6 Ways to Increase Your Circulation
Your lymphatic circulatory system works directly with your cardiovascular circulatory system to keep blood and lymphatic fluid levels in balance and flush toxins out of the body. It also carries immune cells throughout the body to help defend against infections.
But your lymphatic system isn’t lucky enough to have a powerful organ like the heart to keep fluid flowing.
If your lymphatic circulation slows or stagnates, toxins will accumulate and immune cells won’t be delivered to the areas of the body where they’re needed, causing a variety of ailments, the very least of which are aches, pains, and swelling (lymph edema). This can also cause deterioration of your thymus gland, tonsils, and spleen – key components of your immune system — and weaken your body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
6 ACTIVITIES THAT BOOST BOTH KINDS OF CIRCULATION
There are a number of easy and effective ways to improve the health of both your cardiovascular and lymphatic circulatory systems:
1. Drink plenty of water
Circulation is vital to all of the body’s functions, and water makes up a large part of blood volume. Make sure you drink enough water every day and don’t allow yourself to get dehydrated, causing pressure on your circulatory system.
2. Exercise regularly (both cardio and strength training)
Any activity that contributes to overall fitness will also contribute to a strong circulatory system.
Regular aerobic activity is good for heart health and blood vessels.
Resistance training adds to muscle mass, which increases the efficiency of both cardiovascular and lymph circulation.
3. Eat healthy
Circulation is yet another aspect of your health that benefits when you eat healthy. Lymph is made up of immune cells so the quality of lymph is enhanced by practices that boost immunity, including a healthy, balanced diet and weight control. Omega-3 fish oils and turmeric are also beneficial for improving blood flow and lowering inflammation. Supplements that can further help lymphatic drainage and detoxification include burdock root, digestive enzymes, activated charcoal and milk thistle.
4. Get a massage (My favorite!)
By applying pressure to the body, massage stimulates the blood and lymph vessels, helping move the fluid along.
5. Try manual lymph drainage therapy
By applying pressure in specific ways that target lymph nodes and vessels, a therapist trained in the lymphatic drainage therapy technique can directly target the lymph system to activate lymphatic fluid circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems.
6. Essential Oils
Certain essential oils can be beneficial for improving blood flow and reducing swelling in lymph nodes. These include Rosemary, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Black Pepper, Cypress, Laurel Leaf, Ginger Root, Juniper Berry, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Oregano and Frankincense oils. These oils stimulate blood flow in the veins, lymph movement in the lymphatic system and helps shift the toxin build up throughout your body.
