WWTF // Dry Body Brushing

Happy Wednesday everyone! For this week's Wednesday WTF I wanted to talk about dry brushing--a technique that i'm sure many of you have heard about, but may not know much about. Even for me, the concept of whyyy I'd need to brush my body has eluded me. So I decided to do some research recently to learn more about it. It turns out...dry brushing does a lot of REALLY COOL things...and as soon as I get back from my weekday-getaway to Vegas (the irony) I am buying one and brushing the sh*t outta my skin! 


Here's the skinny...(literally):

Dry brushing does way more than soften the skin, in fact, it's the internal benefits that make it so fascinating. Brushing helps to stimulate your lymphatic system, which eliminates metabolic waste from the body. It increases your circulation which pushes harmful toxins out of the blood, improving your immune system too. The stimulation actually helps to break down and soften fatty pockets underneath the skin's surface, and mixed with the removal of toxins, it actually has been proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite. (note* cellulite really IS just that: a build up of fat and toxins held in pockets under the skin...just fyi) The nervous system supposedly feels GREAT from the bristles running along your body and serves as a daily meditation of sorts....it's ritualistic nature sounds like something you can get lost in. OH! And it helps digestion--helping to reduce bloating and constipation. 

I mean....anything that can help to calm the mind and spirit, get rid of cellulite and make my skin look brighter and feel like 1,000 kittens?? Do i really need explain my curiosity with this further. 

WHAT YOU DO

Try a brush like THIS ONE that has natural bristles which will be gentler on the skin, and before bathing/showering, and with completely dry skin, begin using large upward strokes (almost like an oval) starting at your feet and working your way up. 

The rule of body brushing is to always start at the bottom and work your way up. And ALWAYS brush toward your heart....not only does it sound lovely but the scientifically it encourages lymph flow to the main ducts of the lymphatic system. 

You can brush anywhere from 2 minutes to a half hour! Just depending on how it feels....be open...go with it. If it feels divine (which I can't tell you yes or no on--yet) then I say follow what your body is telling you. You probably need it. 

You can use a heavier hand on the feet, arms, shoulders, legs, etc., but you want to avoid the face entirely and use softer pressure on both sides of the torso. You don't have to brush until you're bleeding--and you shouldn't look "irritate" but you should look mildly red or pink. (I'm picturing as if you just worked out--a soft flush) 

Coming back to the meditative qualities of dry brushing for a moment; I think that's what is most appealing to me and has piqued my interest. Any time that's specifically set aside to be PRESENT and aware of your mind and body is a good thing in my book! come on...get a little hippie with me, please. 

With the daily stresses we all encounter--especially for mommies, don't we deserve a little portion of the day to give back to our body and feel like a modern day Grecian goddess? I can't wait to try it, and I'll definitely be doing a follow-up post when I do! Do any of you guys have dry brushing experience? If so what did you think of it? Love it or hate it? 

{❤︎, b.}