“You look so good this morning,” sweetly said Husband at the breakfast table.

Note to self;  better do face massage before breakfast instead of after from now on.

Feel blah and heavy in the morning?  Not a morning person?  Try massaging your face and neck for a quick pick-me-up that actually accomplishes a medical purpose.  Lymphatic drainage facial massage stimulates the lymph system to do its job.  We have many lymph nodes in our face and neck that protect us from pathogens that can enter through our mouth, nose, and eyes.  Light pressure on the skin helps to open the tiny lymph vessels directly beneath the skin so they are stimulated to do their work of draining fluid.  Not only does massage reduce puffiness, it also helps relieve tight muscles and helps your immune system flush waste, bacteria, and toxins.  It also helps relieve sinus pressure.  All in all, helping us look better and be healthier.  1.

I learned to do a simple DIY facial massage about a year and a half ago from a U-Tube video done by a young Japanese woman (which I can’t find now).  I found it helped relieve pressure in my sinuses during allergy season.  Ever since I hardly miss a day doing facial massage because it makes me feel so much better.

I do this facial massage in the morning because it helps me wake up and feel more alert.  I follow the simple massage with skin toner for a double wake-up. Apparently, it makes me look better, too.  (Morning isn’t my peak energy time.)  But you may prefer to do this at night to unwind.  I use a small facial brush which seems to solve the problem of how hard to press.  But you may prefer your fingers.  Just be sure to wash your hands first.

It wasn’t until I did research for this article that I realized how many variations there are.  Everywhere I looked, I found different methods.  But what they had in common was gentle pressure- just enough to move the skin, where to massage and the value of doing it.

What varied from instructor to instructor was the order of massage.  Some recommended starting at the base of the neck behind the clavicle to get the lymph system pumping below to drain from above.  Others recommended starting with the forehead and pulling down into the neck. Some did tapping motions with the fingers around the eyes to prevent pulling tender under eye tissue.

So how to do a DIY face massage for lymph drainage?  You will find your own way by watching the U-Tube videos listed below. The main thing is to stimulate your lymphatic system and to increase blood circulation with the added benefit of draining sinuses and relaxing tense muscles.

Additional facts:  the breasts house a large percentage of lymph tissue and underwire bras notoriously promote toxin build-up in the breasts. 2.

We’re exposed to many toxins which the lymphatic system helps to flush.  Here are a few:

• pesticides on produce
• herbicides on produce
• fluoride in drinking and bathing water
• chlorine in drinking and bathing water
• preservatives from processed foods
• chemicals from fire retardants on carpets, furniture, and clothing
• carcinogens in cosmetics and body care products
• environmental pollutants
• Alcohol  3.

Article to read:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/512608-lymphatic-drainage-massages-for-faces/

Videos:

http://inspireyouthful.com/videos/10-step-system-to-do-a-lymphatic-flush-facial-massage-for-health-beauty-video/

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/gif-tutorial-how-to-do-a-french-facial-massage.html

Footnotes

1.  http://www.livestrong.com/article/512608-lymphatic-drainage-massages-for-faces/
2. http://empoweredsustenance.com/facial-lymphatic-drainage/
3. http://empoweredsustenance.com/5-easy-daily-detox-routines/