If you've been feeling a little puffier in this lovely sunshine, you're definitely not alone. The heat can make us hold onto more fluid than usual, which is why your face, fingers or tummy might suddenly feel swollen. And it's all to do with your lymphatic system, which I promise isn't as complicated as it sounds!
Think of it as your body's drainage system, collecting excess fluid and filtering out the gunk. But unlike your circulatory system, which has your heart as its motor, your lymphatic system doesn't have a pump of its own. Which is why things can get a little stuck! Here's how to give it a helping hand and send the puffiness packing.
1. 10 Pats. That's All It Takes.
Just as a well-behaved dog loves a pat, so does your body 😂 The idea is that it creates a gentle pumping action over your main lymphatic areas to encourage any excess fluid to move along.
Take the flat of your hand and do 10 gentle pats around your collarbones, 10 under your arms, 10 over your abdomen and finish with 10 behind your knees. You can do it straight out of the shower or while you're getting dressed and I know it sounds super simple, but I promise you it works!
2. 1 Extra Step Worth Taking
This whole blog was inspired by a conversation with a lovely friend last week. She'd been following the lymphatic drainage massage I shared on Instagram and couldn't believe the difference it had made!
All you do is dot the One Cream Wonder down the centre of your face at the end of your 5 Minute Kit routine and work it in by sweeping out towards your hairline. These sweeping motions encourage the excess fluid to be filtered out by your lymph nodes so it can naturally drain away. It's much easier to watch than explain, so I'll link the video here for you 💆🏻♀️
3. Just Breathe. Seriously.
Deep breathing might sound too basic but it's one of the most underrated techniques of them all. Your diaphragm sits close to major lymphatic pathways and its movement as you breathe encourages that pump-like motion.
Try inhaling gently through your nose, allowing your tummy and lower ribs to expand, then follow with a slightly longer, relaxed exhale. About five should do the trick and you'll be as calm as you are chiselled 😉
And that's truly all you need. I know vibration plates and fancy face brushes are trending, but sometimes your body just needs a little helping hand 🙌🏼🥰
