Beauty rituals: We all have some of our own. Maybe you lather your skin in gorgeous ayurvedic oils every night before you go to sleep; maybe you have a special concoction of delicious-smelling ingredients you spray into your locks when you get out of the shower.
Whatever yours may be, beauty rituals are an incredible thing to embrace – they have the ability to make us look and feel like goddesses.
If this isn’t already one of yours, today I have a new one for you to incorporate into your daily routine: body brushing.The simple act of brushing your skin with a natural bristle body brush for just a few minutes per day has benefits that go way beyond the surface.
On the outside, dry body brushing unclogs the pores and exfoliates the skin, leaving it looking brighter and feeling beautifully smooth and soft. On the inside, it stimulates the lymphatic system, helping to speed up the process of eliminating metabolic waste from the body. Additionally, it increases blood circulation to the skin, which helps to release toxinsfrom within, as well. Body brushing also helps to soften fatty areas beneath the skin – and that, coupled with the toxin elimination, is actually thought help reduce the appearance of cellulite. The feeling of the bristles on your skin stimulates your nervous system and feels awesome. Some natural health experts believe that the benefits can go as far as improving digestion, too. My favorite aspect, though? Dry body brushing undoubtedly soothes the mind.The gentle brushing motion can turn into a meditation in itself, helping to free your mind of unwanted stress and rigidity, and leaving you feeling pampered, happy, and excited for whatever this day may bring your way.
So, how’s it done? First, you need to get yourself a good body brush – go for one with natural bristles, rather than synthetic, as this kind will be much gentler on your skin. There are lots of body brushes on the market that are made with vegetable fibers — like this one!
Before you bathe, brush your entire body, starting with your feet and working upwards with large, upward stroking motions. Make sure both your skin and the brush bristles are dry, and always brush towards your heart, as this encourages lymph flow to the main ducts of the lymphatic system. Avoid brushing your face (unless you have a brush specifically designed to do so), as well as any other sensitive or irritated areas. Use more pressure on the feet, legs, arms, and butt; and less pressure on the front and back of the torso. When you’re finished, your skin should have a nice pink glow, but should not look red or feel irritated. You can brush for anywhere from two minutes to a half hour – or more! Do what feels right for you. Follow each session with a shower or another form of hydrotherapy to rid the surface of your skin from any toxins that have been released.
It’s important that you set aside enough time for yourself so that you can relax and enjoy this ritual instead of projecting your mind into the future endeavors of your day. Try your best to be present throughout the entirety of your dry brushing session. Put on soothing music, light incense, and do whatever you need to help yourself feel calm and at ease… this may just turn into your favorite part of the day.