Soreness and stiffness in the morning. Depression. Fatigue. Bloating. Itchy and dry skin. Water retention. Acne. Low energy. Brain fog. Cold hands and feet. Worsened allergies. Sinus infections. Obesity.
While we often try to treat symptoms like the above with a pill or trip to the doctor, the good news is that you can remedy this sickness just by getting active!
The lymphatic system is our body’s own waste removal service.
It is the least talked about the system in the body but is the most vital. A major component of the circulatory system, and 3x as large as the blood it comprises a network of tissues and vessels that transport and dispose of lymphatic waste and other fluids. An impaired lymphatic system will lead to a weakened immune response, meaning we get ill more often.
Unlike the heart in the blood, the lymphatic system does not have an automatic pump, therefore maintaining fluid transport in the lymph vessels requires activity and movement from us.
Poor lymph circulation results in inflammation, pain and/or disease so it is imperative to make lifestyle changes to keep the lymph system healthy. Exercise is the answer to moving the lymph, coupled with herbs to aid in waste filtration, and the consumption of plenty of high water content, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Your adrenal glands also play a vital role in your well being, energy, and ability to shed extra pounds. Your adrenal glands are weakened over time by too much of a release of the stress hormone cortisol.
Our team at O2 can’t reduce your stress levels, but we can change the way your body responds to stress. Long-term physical activity can help to reduce your heart rate through its response to exercise. An increased stroke volume leads to a lower stress response. Therefore less cortisol is produced, allowing for a more homeostatic environment for the lymphatic system.
For proper lymphatic health and ideal body composition, I recommend high-intensity strength/resistance training 3 days per week (full body or split workouts) along with 10,000 steps each day.
