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The holidays are here, are you ready? Better question, is your lymphatic system ready for the holidays?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and shortly after that, so is Christmas and New Year’s. You’ll be inundated by yummy, carb rich foods, alcohol, and sweets. All of which can wreak havoc on your lymphatic system.

As a result, we often hear how detoxing is critical to get rid of the holiday weight. A big part of detox is cleansing your lymph system. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips you can take to maintain holiday health through the next couple of months.

Below are my recommendations for preparing your lymphatic system for better holiday health.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is a key factor in maintaining a healthy lymph system. As a circulation system, the lymph system relies on lymph fluid to keep its fluid moving and healthy. Obviously, if you are dehydrated that will cause blockages in your system.

If you do one thing during the holidays, remember to drink plenty of water to nourish your lymphatic system. The recommended amount for hydration according to the Mayo Clinic is about 11.5 cups of water per day for women.

Keep Exercising

If you don’t already have an exercise routine, there is no better time than now to start. Even if you just take a 2 or 3 mile walk each day, you get your blood pumping and increase the flow of lymph fluids.

But if you really want to help your lymph system stay healthy during the holidays, then try to jumping on a trampoline or doing some inversions in Yoga. Your lymphatic system doesn’t have the same circulatory ability as your cardiovascular system. Bouncing and inversions move fluid around your body easily and strengthen your whole body’s health.

Meditate & Reduce Stress

The holidays are a joyous time with family. But they can also be stressful. Between travel arrangements and shopping for gifts, it is easy to feel stressed out and run down. Unfortunately, this can cause problems with your immune system and lymphatic system.

One thing I like to do during these stressful times is to meditate. I highly recommend sitting in meditation for at least 10 minutes each day. You can download apps like Calm or Insight Timer for guided and timed meditation.

Meditation is proven to reduce stress levels, so if you invest a little bit of time and energy, it will go a long way towards keeping your lymphatic system healthy.

Breathe Deeply

The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart, but what it does have is the lungs. Simply by breathing properly, we can help move lymph through the abdomen and chest. Shallow breathing leads to lymphatic congestion, particularly when you aren’t eating properly.

A simple breathing technique you can use to improve your lymphatic system is to slowly breathe in through your nose, then deeply push your stomach out. Let your breath go out through your month. Repeat this process just 5 to 10 times. Doing so will oxygenate the blood and circulate the lymph around your liver. It’s even better if you can do this exercise outdoors for fresh air.

This also contributes to stress reduction and leaves you feeling much more balanced.

Summary

The holidays are a time of family, food, and fun. Gift giving and reminiscing on the memories made from the previous year is a big part of what the holidays are about. But what you don’t have to do during this time is destroy your lymphatic system with chemical-laden food and excess.

If you implement even two of the tips before the holidays, you’ll position yourself for a healthy holiday season. In the meantime, explore my Ultimate Lymphatic System Checklist for tips and tricks to strengthen your lymphatic system.

I hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season!