Living Positively: Drybrushing

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 photo via: yogitrition

Living Positively is all about the simple gestures that can make a big difference in the way you live and feel. One my all-time favourite beauty and self-love rituals is dry brushing –  and a wonderful way to take a few minutes out of your day to do your mind and body some good. So what is dry brushing? It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like, brushing the skin with a dry brush!

Benefits To Dry Brushing

Beyond the meditative benefits of taking a few minutes for this self-love ritual, there are a few other bonuses you can look forward to.

Stimulates Lymph Flow: The lymphatic system is part of the body’s circulatory system and is vital to our immune system. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph toward the heart which is why we brush directionally towards it. When we dry brush we stimulate the flow of lymph which helps to reduce toxins and aid in lymphatic drainage. It is a powerful detoxifier
Exfoliating: The process of brushing removes dead and dry skin, unclogs pores and leaves the skin really soft and tight. All of which are super helpful during this season we call winter.
Reduces Cellulite: Dry brushing helps to soften hard fat deposits below the skin and distributes the fat evenly. There are a lot of women who have claimed that it helps them smooth out their legs
It’s Energizing: because of the buzz and invigorating feeling your skin is left with it’s a great way to start your day. It feels really good and becomes addictive
There is a slight process to it and it’s best to do before you shower. You always want to brush toward the heart, which is best for your lymphatic system as well as general circulation. Start at the feet and make your way up the body from your legs to your arms, chest, back and stomach. You’ll want to avoid your face. You can also add essential oils to your dry brush by putting a few drops of the oil on your hand first and then rubbing it into the bristles.

It almost becomes a meditative process so take your time and focus on the vibration that the brush leaves on your skin. Your body will buzz with energy afterwards, which is why it’s great to do in the mornings before you hop in the shower.

You’ll want to invest in a high-quality brush with bristles made from natural materials. I love the one I have, which is the EnergyBrush from P. Jentschura. Its bristles contain real copper and zinc which allows for the minerals to be directly absorbed onto your skin. (Neat!) I’ve tried a few dry brushes in my day and this one leaves a fantastic tingling sensation on the skin.

A dry brush session can last anywhere from 2-10 minutes; it really depends on how long you you want to spend on it. Your skin will glow from the inside out. Promise.

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